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Residents and visitors are protected by the DLPD - Detroit Lakes Police Department - 24 hours a day on every day of the year. Our agency serves a modern and busy community of over 8000 residents with our summer population often multiplied several times. We consistently respond to about 11,0000 annual calls for service each year. As of 2010 - our department presently consists of 15 full-time Police Officers and two full-time civilians positions including a Secretary and Records Technician. We are assisted in our duties by several other law enforcement agencies that serve in the same area. Despite economy concerns and the loss of local state government aid in the past few years, we still remain one of the few Law Enforcement agencies in the region that provides a full range of police services to our community from unlocking cars and funeral escorts to responding to all fire and medical emergencies. We also work very closely with other Law Enforcement agencies in the area. It is this combination of professionalism and teamwork along with the citizens of Detroit Lakes that helps to make our community a safer and better place to live. As our city expands and our workload grows each year, we will continue to strive updating our department with the personnel and resources needed to ensure the same high commitment of quality and service to public safety and security. The police department serves as a extension of trust and faith by our citizens. We need your help and support to keep improving and meeting any new challenges. We can't do it without you so please help us be the very best that we can be.
Department Divisions The largest division in our department is the uniformed Patrol Division. It is the one most people are familiar with as uniformed Police Officers patrol in marked squad cars, investigate suspicious circumstances, enforce traffic laws, and respond to calls for service. We have
eight Officers dedicated to Patrol duties and two Sergeants. There are
usually at least two Officers on-duty at all times and more during
peak-times of the day and evening. A typical day in the life of a Detroit Lakes Patrol Officer is often one of satisfaction and community pride. But just as common is dealing with the unexpected, facing critical situations, and experiencing a wide variety of situations in just one regular shift. An Officer can go from long hours without interruptions to a life or death situation in a heartbeat or handling what may seem like a routine call to something totally unexpected in seconds. Sometimes people think a smaller community like Detroit Lakes wouldn't have many high-risk or very stressful incidents but it is more common than most people realize.
All
DLPD Officers are also sworn Deputies of Becker County and have full
authority outside of city limits to assist other agencies as needed.
We currently enjoy a excellent working relationship with several other
Law Enforcement agencies in our area. POLICE VEHICLES While most patrol functions are carried out in a marked department squad cars, there are certain situations that require special enforcement efforts. DLPD Officers may use bicycles, snowmobiles, ATV's, unmarked squad cars, 4 X 4 vehicles, or foot patrols to assist them in these situations. Law Enforcement or Rescue efforts that occur on Detroit Lake are handled by the DNR and BCSO Boat & Water Division. The Sheriff's Office also has a Dive Team for underwater search and rescue.
Detroit Lakes Police Interceptor: 1998 to 2002 Design Our agency's squad cars used by the Patrol staff have evolved significantly over the years. The early 90's saw the use of the popular Chevy Caprice Classic until that model was discontinued. Much of the equipment back then wasn't as advanced as today and squad cars didn't carry nearly as much emergency gear. But today's police vehicles are outfitted with almost everything a Patrol Officer may need. Since specialized units that larger departments often have are not initially available here, Patrol Officers serve as the first line of defense to a crisis. Detroit Lakes Police Officers receive training and may utilize a variety of items such as Automated Emergency Defibrillators, First Responder Medical Equipment, Lockout Tools, Fire Extinguishers, Shotguns and AR-15 Patrol Rifles, "Stop-stick" Road Spikes, Bio-Hazard Suits, and Digital Video/Audio Recording devices.
Detroit Lakes Police Interceptor: Prior to 1998 Design
Today's new Ford Police Interceptors are
often the emergency vehicle of choice for many law enforcement agencies.
They come standard with heavy duty suspensions, brakes, and skid plates
in addition to performance steering, anti-lock brakes, transmission
upgrades, and more powerful engines. All of our Officers attend high-speed pursuit training, advanced
emergency vehicle operations, and Pursuit Intervention Tactics every two years.
A Patrolman's Office: Interior of a DLPD Squad Car INVESTIGATIONS The Investigations Division is responsible for handling major case investigations and follows up on serious incidents from the Patrol Officers. They also handle a busy caseload of situations from processing crime scenes, dealing with forged checks, and investigating various scams to conducing surveillance, interviewing witnesses, and interrogating suspects. There are currently two Officers assigned to Investigations plus a Narcotics Agent that works with the west Minnesota drug task force. The Narcotics Agent position was created by a Federal Grant back in 2007 designed to help smaller agencies counter the rising problems with illegal drugs in their communities. The Investigations division has also come a long way since the earlier years. Today's equipment and resources allow for advanced taking of prints left at a crime scene, ultra-violet lights for detecting blood even after it has been cleaned, fuming agents to detect fingerprints long after the incident took place, computer programs to search hard-drives for hidden information, and DNA identifications with the assistance of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Our Investigators drive unmarked squad cars that are fully equipped like regular marked units with hidden emergency lights. Both vehicles are civilian models and are in excellent condition. One of them is courtesy of Minnesota's Vehicle Forfeiture Laws and some very stupid criminals.
Our civilian staff is made up of a records technician and a secretary. They assist the Police Department with everything from records keeping and processing paperwork to answering phones and entering information into our computer network. They are a essential part of our team and the department could not function without them.
Our office is located at 106
Holmes Street East and the station phone number is (218) 847-4222.
Regular business hours are weekdays
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