The Lake Hamilton Police Department has made a major turnaround after a scathing report last year by a state attorney.

  • Lake Hamilton PD makes turnaround after scathing report
  • Department hired new police chief
  • New chief working on 3-year plan for accreditation

Last year, State Attorney Jerry Hill released a 89-page report about the department that accused it of botching serious cases, including a sex crime and suicide. He also said officers were poorly trained, and the department had sloppy evidence handling.

The police chief resigned, and the city hired a new chief, Michael Teague. Now, the State Attorney’s Office says the police department is back on track.  

"It has its fun days. It has its trying days,” said Teague during a recent patrol. “But every day is a new adventure."

Teague has instituted a new computerized system for the handling of evidence, and his mostly new officers are getting a lot of extra training. The officers often take advantage of training being offered by other agencies.

"(Polk County) Sheriff Grady Judd and the police chiefs in the area have been very supportive at giving assistance,” Teague said.

Teague also said he is working on a three-year plan for the department to gain accreditation. He is also requiring officers on patrol to get out of their patrol vehicles and walk a neighborhood to get to know the residents they serve.

The city also has plans to add extra space to city hall for extra police facilities.