Full Notification

I just wanted to take a minute of your time and extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to every member of our Harper Woods community who has reached out to us in the past week to offer prayers, support, encouragement, affection, and unwavering support of the outstanding men and women of the Harper Woods Department of Public Safety. Harper Woods is a very diverse community and that diversity is what has made us stronger. We refocused our mission to prioritize community service well over 15 years ago. This means that all of our actions are focused on increasing safety in our community as well as building trusting, close relationships with every resident of Harper Woods.

Every one of our officers views working for you as a privilege and we do not take the incredible support we receive from you lightly. We pride ourselves on the daily positive interactions we have with you and this trust and respect for each other has paid off in innumerable ways. Serious crime has gone down every year for the past ten years, despite significant cuts in our staffing levels due to our budgetary situation. Harper woods IS a safer place to live than it was years ago, and it is due to the fact that we have added 14,000 eyes and ears to help us keep you safe, and the dedication that our officers have in keeping Harper Woods a safe place for everyone, especially our kids.

We are also working hard to increase the positive relationship we already enjoy. I will be announcing plans soon for a "Unity in the Community" walk from City Hall to Johnston Park to kick off our annual National Night Out celebration which has grown in size every year. This event was planned well before the unfortunate series of events nationwide that show how much work needs to still be done to bring all members of a community together. I am extremely proud of the efforts our community and our department have put in place years ago to foster the excellent relationship we have now.

I would like to share an excerpt of an email I received from one of our finest command officers, Lieutenant Jason Hammerle. I have received many calls and folks just stopping by to offer gratitude and support to us, but I believe the Lieutenant perfectly summed up what Harper Woods is all about.

"Chief,

Just wanted to make you aware of the incredible outpouring of support the department received over the weekend.

Several people brought baked goods to the station while thanking us for our service to their community. We also received many, many phone calls from our residents offering encouragement and prayer. While on patrol, many residents on the street went out of their way to wave and honk their horns.

One story in particular I'd like to share. On Friday night, as we were concluding roll call and getting ready to head out for patrol, a woman and her young daughter came to the rear door of the station. Officer Biernat spoke to the woman who requested to come in and personally give us a plate of cookies. As the woman came to the squad room her eyes were filled with tears. She was deeply saddened by the Dallas tragedy and expressed her gratitude for our department in particular. Prior to leaving, the woman gave each officer a mutually tearful hug. It was a moment that I'm sure the guys won't soon forget.

Driving to work on Friday evening, I had some apprehension and did not know what to expect. I am so pleased to inform you we were completely embraced by the community, both black and white. The racial tension that was playing out nationwide was nonexistent here. It's obvious our efforts to maintain a positive relationship with our community have paid off. The silent majority was out in droves. Numerous residents, black and white, young and old, male and female, stopped us and told us they loved living here in Harper Woods and that they "had our back". I was never so proud to be a police officer as I was that night.

Lieutenant Hammerle"


This is what Harper Woods is all about and we are stronger BECAUSE of our diversity. Please let any of us know if there is ever anything we can do for you. I am honored to have the privilege of being the Chief here, and Thank You for watching out for our officers. We will always continue to do the same for you.

Thank you for your continued support.

Jim Burke
Chief of Police