Howard Lake Police Department
By Chief Tracy Vetruba
Howard Lake Police Department
The Howard Lake Police Department has focused on leveraging partnerships with other agencies to increase our efficiency in delivering the services our citizens expect. 
HLPD partnered with Buffalo Police Department and Annandale Police Department in our records management server. We can also track a person’s involvement with the other two departments.
We have also recently entered into a partnership with the Buffalo and Annandale police departments in a citation diversion program. The diversion program allows low-level violators to avoid the normal channels of criminal prosecution for minor traffic offenses. The program also requires the violator to take a two-hour class about driving dangers called SMART (Speed Management and Accident Reduction Training). During the class students are shown videos on what happens during a crash and they are given instruction about behaviors that should be avoided to prevent these types of crashes. Contact the Howard Lake Police Department for more information on this program.
The Howard Lake Police Department updated the design of its patch in 2011 to match the department’s dark blue uniforms.
Policing in the age of technology
It seems every year new technology presents new challenges in policing. Laws have not kept up until recently with e-mail, text messages, and the Internet. The Howard Lake Police Department has focused on using available resources to meet its needs.
It’s tough to stay on top with limited budgets. Policing in a small town limits us in what technology tools we can afford. Getting the most we can for our money is more important than ever.
It seems that every high school student has his or her own cell phone. Many of the middle school students do too. Cell phones present new challenges for school administrators. Many have heard about the new issues with “Sexting.”
Often young people don’t consider the consequences of their actions. In a digital age, the information can be easily reproduced and shared among many others. If you discover inappropriate messages or photos on your child’s phone, seek assistance with school officials or the police department so this can be resolved before additional crimes occur.
Overview of the police department
The Howard Lake Police Department is a progressive police department that serves the citizens of Howard Lake. The department consists of three full-time officers and six part-time officers.
We are actively involved in a number of programs that include the following: HLWW MEADA (Methamphetamine Education and Drug Awareness), Safe Schools of HLWW, Safe Communities of Wright County, and Rivers of Hope Domestic Violence Prevention.
Our evening officers work a night shift that includes patrol, and responding to police calls and medicals. They are also assigned to work with the above programs to address the needs of the citizens and work with many community groups.
Our part-time officers assist in filling shifts for training, vacations, sick leave, and community events which include the following: Howard Lake Business Expo, child fingerprinting program during the HLWW Community Education Family Night, Good Neighbor Days celebration, National Night Out, and more, along with our non-scheduled events that come up during the year.
Police liaison program enters second year
The Howard Lake Police Department and the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District entered into a second year of School Resource Officer (SRO) coverage. Howard Lake police officer Darek Szczepanik will fullfill the SRO role again this year. Last year was considered a success; there were fewer incidents which had to be addressed with school officials or law enforcement.
