May 14, 2012 –
Law enforcement officers who were at the Potawatomi Tribal Police Open House today included (left to right) Phong “Aaron” Huynh, Steven Smith, Matt Simpson, Nhan Le, Matt Johnson, Cassie Hofich, Kacey Wiltz, and Mike Boswell. Other police officers not photographed are Chad Kleppin, Matt Stout and Wade Schneider.
MAYETTA: The Potawatomi Tribal Police Department held an open house today in celebration of National Police Week and to show off their newly remodeled building.
Several tribal members and PBPN employees were in attendance along with others in the community who were also on hand for the luncheon celebration.
The station is located at 16344 Q Road and has been expanded to include an extensive evidence-storage area, better police processing areas, new vehicle bays and more office space for police officers and the staff. The headquarters has also been freshly painted and refurbished with new furniture for the offices.
The first police building was in the old Tribal Court building that is located on K-Road. It is now presently used by the Tribal Victims Assistance Program for their Providers Art Circle/meetings and for Emergency Services training purposes. The Tribal Police Department moved to its present location on Q Road in 1998 and has been operating out of that facility ever since.
There are 20 members of the Tribal Police Department that is headed by Chief Mike Boswell. Some of the services the police department performs include law enforcement/safety functions, emergency services dispatch, school resource officer (Royal Valley School District) hunting, fishing, license and deer tag issuance and training, animal control, sex offender registration, motor vehicle registration/vehicle safety inspections, and crime victim advocacy.
Officer Hofich showing one of the rooms during a tour of the facility.
Micky Houk who is in charge of police records in her office.
This photo of Micki Martinez, Motor Vehicle Registrar, shows the new collector plates that are now on sale and Micki in her remodeled office.
Rick Burns (plaid shirt) and Herb Nance grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for the luncheon today. Burns is the Wildlife and Game officer and Nance handles maintenance and teaches hunter education/driving education courses for the department. Both men are also mechanics for the vehicles and other equipment.
Rebekah Jones is Office Manager and heads the Tribal Victims Assistance Program for the Police Department.
Tyler Shobney has recently joined the police department as a dispatcher. Other dispatchers include John Hurla, Katherine Johnson and Jane Wooten.
Facing the camera on the far right end is Katherine Johnson and, counterclockwise is Wade Schneider, Nhan Lee, and Tyler Shobney, Kristina Throssell and Jane Wooten who are all enjoying their luncheon.
Tables for diners were also set up inside the motor vehicle bay area.