Hugo's Contract Deputies To Be Based At City Hall
Sheriff Says Move Is A First For Washington County
HUGO - Hugo may not have its own police department, but, if all goes as planned, the city will soon have its own "town cops."
Within the month, the Washington County Sheriff's Department, with which Hugo contracts for police services, will base deputies at an office within City Hall, allowing the five deputies assigned to the Hugo area to spend more of their time in the community and less time commuting back and forth from Stillwater.
"The move will benefit all parties involved," said Washington County SherifiBill Hutton.
"What a great thing to get the residents of Hugo more connected with the Sheriff's Department."
The Department will lease the office in City Hall that was formerly leased by U.S. Congressman Mark Kennedy. While the initial lease agreement is of the year-to-year variety, Hutton said that he hopes the department will have a headquarters in Hugo "indefinitely."
Right now, the deputies assigned to patrol duties within the city report for roll call in Stillwater and then drive to Hugo in a squad car, where they are based in the city's Fire Hall on 140th Street and Fenway Avenue.
Once the department completes the move, however, deputies will be able to report for roll call from City Hall via a video link.
"The deputies are excited to be able to report right to the city they're working in," said Cmdr.
Marv Stutz, whose area of jurisdiction includes Hugo.
Stutz added that "the move will keep the deputies in the city for calls that may happen between shifts."
Right now, there are no contract deputies within the city during the time between shi s when deputies are driving between Stillwater and Hugo, although the Washington County Sheriff's Department maintains a continuous presence in the general area by officers not specifically assigned to Hugo.
Residents will be able to come to City Hall and speak to deputies throughout the day, but the office won't be manned overnight. During times when the office isn't manned, deputies will be dispatched to the city from Stillwater.
In addition to providing Hugo residents with greater access to the deputies who patrol their city, the move will also increase the SheriffDepartment's access to city staffand elected officials.
"The deputies will have more connection with the city government. When they're stopping in to check e-mail, they'll be available to city staff," Hutton said.
And last, but not least, the office in City Hall will simply provide the department with more room than they currently have in the Fire Hall.
Stutz said that the department is currently working to install computer and information technology equipment in the office. Once the equipment is installed, the move will be completed, something that City Administrator Mike Ericson said he expected to see by the end of February.
Hugo has contracted with Washington County for police services since the summer of 1980. Prior to that time, it had its own police force. Although many cities of Hugo's size - and smaller - have their own police departments, the Hugo City Council has expressed little interest in moving in that direction, and has in recent months lauded the quality of service provided by Hutton's department.
The Washington County Sheriff's Department currently provides contract police protection for five cities within the county, but Hugo is the first one in which they will establish a headquarters.
"This is new for the Sheriff's Department," Hutton said.