Community Policing Team

Team PP 9-2022The Holland Department of Public Safety (HDPS) Police Operations stands as a proud leader in the Community Policing concept of policing. We have been nationally recognized for our programs and success stories. In November 2001, HDPS adopted the "Team Policing" philosophy of Community Oriented Policing. With two years of planning and community input behind it, the implementation of "Team Policing" became a reality!

Working Together

Community policing is a philosophy of policing, based on the concept that police officers and people working together in creative ways can help solve contemporary community problems related to crime, the fear of crime, quality of life, and neighborhood conditions. The philosophy is predicated on the belief that achieving these goals requires those police departments to develop a new relationship with people by expanding their role in the community by involving themselves in efforts to improve the overall quality of life in their neighborhoods.

Core Ideas

Community policing consists of a number of community-based elements that differentiate it from the traditional reactive model. Some community policing core ideas are:

  • Broad police function and community focus
  • Community input
  • Concern for people
  • Create problem-solving
  • Developing trust and working partnerships
  • Mentoring for the future

Patrol Areas

Each HDPS Police Officer has an assigned area to patrol, interact and work within. They spend much of their time responding to calls in their assigned area and following up on complaints and crimes occurring in their area. Each Community Policing Officer is assigned a smaller geographic area plus the K-7 school in or near their area. We believe that the consistent and frequent presence of officers in these neighborhoods and schools has greatly improved police-community relations. We have seen dramatic improvements in young kids who are at the greatest risk of making "bad choices".

HDPS Citizens Police Academy

Community Policing Officers host and manage the HDPS Citizens Police Academy every fall. The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is free to participants and is held once a year, allowing citizens to educate themselves on the reality of police work with an inside look at our department and the policy and procedures of the HDPS Police Operations. It also serves to present an overview of the Holland-area Criminal Justice System. https://www.cityofholland.com/669/Citizens-Police-Academy

Junior Police Academy

During summer months, Community Policing Officers host and manage the Junior Police Academy. The Junior Police Academy (JPA) is free to junior high aged kids and exposes them to a mini police academy in which they are taught the different aspects of Public Safety, the importance of integrity and respect, and the importance of teamwork and fitness. https://www.cityofholland.com/400/Junior-Police-Academy

Operation Polar Patrol

Our Polar Patrol ice cream truck is available for special events from May through September.  Please see the link for additional information and to make a request.  In 2022 we covered 112 events, with 21,268 people. https://www.cityofholland.com/688/Operation-Polar-Patrol

CRASE

All Community Policing officers are certified to instruct CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events).

CLEAR 

Working with men and women recently released from prison.

CIT

The Crisis Intervention Team is a specifically trained team that was established in September 2021 to provide more specialized interaction with an assistance to those who may be experiencing a mental health or crisis.  It is a partnership between the Holland Department of Public Safety, Ottawa County Community Mental Health, and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.  HDPS has one full-time police officer assigned to the team and office space is provided in the police building.  

As of May 2023, there have been 393 cases the team was involved in.

MEET THE COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM:

Community Policing Sergeant Jon Weatherwax

Began as an officer with the department in 2003.  Supervisor of the Community Policing Unit since 2020.

Wax

Community Policing Officer Joy Nelson

Began her career with the department as a cadet.   Became an officer in 2001.  Joined the Community Policing Unit in 2019.  Area of focus is from Settlers Rd. east to Quarterline Rd. and from Chicago Dr. south to 16th St.  Also covers Holland Heights Elementary School.  "Through teamwork, I believe we can really make a difference in our community.  I look forward to building relationships in the Holland Heights community."

Nelson-1

Community Policing Officer Nicole Hamberg

Began as an officer with the department in 2002.   Joined the Community Policing unit in 20...  Area of focus is River Ave. to Fairbanks, and 6th St. to 24th St.  Also covers Black River School and Hope College. "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you CAN do."

Bugs

Community Policing Officer Brian Spykerman

Began as an officer with the department in 2016.  Joined the Community Policing unit in 2019.  Area of focus is Harbor Village, Meadow Lanes, and Crowne Point Apartments.  Also covers Jefferson Elementary. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7

Spyke

Community Policing Officer Derek Barrett

Began as an officer with the University of Michigan Police Department.  Started with the HDPS in 2018.  Joined the Community Policing Unit in 20...  Area of focus is 1st St. south to 24th St. and from River east to Graafschap Rd.  Also covers Holland West Elementary School, Vanderbilt Charter Academy, and Calvary Schools. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelo

Barrett

Community Policing Officer / CIT Austin Engerson

Began as an officer with the department in 2016.  Became a member of the new CIT unit in 2021.  "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.  Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen" - Winston Churchill

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Holland High School - School Resource Officer Joe Soto

Began as an officer with department in 1996.   Became a SRO in 2015.  Also covers Holland Language Academy.  "What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it."

Soto

Holland Middle School - School Resource Officer Anna Heintzleman 

Began with the department in 2019. Assigned as an SRO in the middle school in 2020.   "Striving to build relationships with the students and families of WMS"

Heintz