Chief Terry Scherer

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City of La Porte, Indiana

Police Department

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"Live and love La Porte, Indiana."

1206 Michigan Avenue La Porte, Indiana 46350 * Phone (219)362-9446 * FAX: (219)324-4375

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Please note that many of the graphics in the left column of this web site are also hyperlinks. Also, by clicking on text that is in red and underlined on the pages of this site, you expand the bulleted list and access more information.

Mission Statement

The La Porte Police Department will provide effective, cost effective full service law enforcement to the citizens of and visitors to La Porte, Indiana in a manner that is responsive to the ever changing needs of the community.

Background Information

  • Jurisdiction
    • La Porte, Indiana was first settled in 1830 and takes its name from the French for "The Door."
    • The City of La Porte is located in La Porte County, the second largest county from a geographic standpoint in the State of Indiana.
    • La Porte is governed by an elected Mayor and seven member City Council.
    • La Porte has a very active Chamber of Commerce and a strong economic development program.
    • La Porte is currently seeing some substantial infrastructure improvements in terms of transportation projects. 
    • La Porte's nickname is "The Maple City."
    • La Porte has a total area of 12.2 square miles of which 0.7 square miles is water and has over 150 miles of streets..
    • The population of La Porte in the 2000 census was 21,621.
    • There were 9,667 housing units, 8,916 households and 5, 545 families living in La Porte according to the 2000 census.
    • La Porte has three major highways; US 35, Indiana 39 and Indiana 4 going through it and is located in close proximity to Interstate 80/90 and Interstate 94.
    • La Porte is only a one hour drive from the Chicago Loop and in within a one day drive of half the population in the country.
    • Norfolk and Southern main railroad line between Philadelphia and Chicago runs through La Porte as does a branch line of the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend freight railroad.
  • Department Background Information
    • The La Porte Police Department was founded as a metropolitan police department in 1910.
    • In 1930, the La Porte Police Department's affiliation with Fraternal Order of Police La Porte Lodge #54 began with all 15 officers on the department at the time becoming FOP members.
    • The Fraternal Order of Police purchased the department's first police radio in 1937.
    • In the 1940's, with the building of the Kingsbury Ordinance Plant five miles south of town and the resultant influx of  people which forced the department to expand; the La Porte Police Department was considered to be one of premier police departments in the country.
    • The La Porte Police Department currently has an authorized strength of 43 sworn officers; a civilian support staff of nine people; a take home squad car program; highly computerized information systems and of course, a modern radio system.
    • The La Porte Police Department is dispatched by the La Porte County Emergency 911 Center. 

Events and News

  • The La Porte Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Probationary Patrol Officer. Please see our Recruiting page in this web site for more information and a downloadable application.
  • Upcoming Traffic Enforcement Events.
    • Big City/County traffic enforcement targets passenger restraint violations and aggressive driving. This grant will fund 40 hours of additional traffic patrols in January.
    • DUI: Taskforce Indiana DUI enforcement events are scheduled for January 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
    • Fatality Crash Reduction Effort traffic enforcement targets moving violations that cause serious injury or fatal traffic crashes. This grant will fund 30 hours of additional traffic patrols for January.
  • Department Calendar of Events and Meetings:
    • 01/13/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 02/10/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 02/12/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 03/10/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 03/12/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 04/09/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 04/14/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 05/12/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 05/14/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 06/09/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 06/11/2008 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 07/09/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 07/14/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 08/11/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 08/13/2008 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 09/08/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 09/10/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 10/08/2008 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 10/13/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 11/10/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 11/12/2009 - There will be a meeting of the La Porte Neighborhood Watch Association at 7:00 PM at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
    • 12/08/2009 - There will be a meeting of the  La Porte Police Department Merit Commission at 2:00 PM in the main floor meeting room at the La Porte Police Department, 1206 Michigan Avenue.
  • Recent Press Releases:

Web Site Overview

  • Goals
    • To give the web site visitor an overview of the La Porte Police Department, its personnel and equipment and the service it provides to the community.
    • To provide people that are thinking about moving to our community with information regarding the excellent police service the La Porte Police Department provides to this community.  
  • Site Map
    • The Community Policing page provides information regarding Community Outreach Program such as our Citizen's Police Academy and our very active Neighborhood Watch Program. This page also incorporates some forms that citizens can use to give crime tips and traffic complaints.
    • The Information page has copies of selected reports from the La Porte Police Department's 2006 Annual Report as well as information concerning the traffic safety programs that our department participates in, some frequently asked questions and some crime prevention tips.
    • The Operations page has information about the various divisions, personnel and equipment that comprise the La Porte Police Department. This page also has links to photos of  department administrative personnel on it.
    • The Records Division page has information about records and report release policies and handgun permits.
    • The Recruiting page has information about the requirements for becoming a La Porte Police Department and downloadable versions of the applications for Police Officers and Reserve Officers. 
    • The Training page has a list of upcoming training events hosted by the La Porte Police Department.

Other Important Web Sites

 

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01/06/2009

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