City News

WELCOME
INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
DAVE BEROUSEK

Chief Berousek was installed as the Interim Chief on Monday, June 21, 2010. We are pleased that VFD personnel are giving Chief Berousek their full support and cooperation.

Chief Berousek held the position of Fire Chief of the North Shore Fire Department in Brown Deer, Wisconsin for 15 years, until his retirement in 2010. The North Shore Fire Department is similar to the VFD in that it serves seven separate entities and was a consolidation of seven independent fire departments.

We welcome Chief Berousek to the Memorial Villages!

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HVPD - BEST PRACTICES RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The Hedwig Village Police Department under the Direction of Police Chief Dave Barber has undertaken a rigorous and extensive internal review of its policies, procedures, equipment, facilities and operations to comply with over 160 Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices, in order to receive the “Recognized” status of the Texas Police Chief’s Association Foundation Law Enforcement Agency Best Practices Recognition Program. Being Recognized means that the agency meets or exceed all of the identified Best Practices for Texas Law Enforcement.

This was a voluntary process undertaken by HVPD over many months to comply with best practices in aspects of law enforcement, such as: Use of force, protection of citizen rights, pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations. Training and the policies and procedures of a law enforcement agency are necessary to ensure proper performance in these areas of law enforcement, which may involve the power to stop and question a citizen, the power to make arrests, to seize property and/or the power to use force.

Recently, HVPD requested and received a two-day outside site visit and review from the Texas Police Chief Association Foundation in order to prove its compliance. The Recognized status is awarded for a four year period. During that time, a Recognized agency must continue to submit annual reports showing compliance to certain standards. During the fourth year the agency must receive another site review to qualify for continuation of its Recognized status.

Hedwig Mayor and Council strongly support these types of programs to foster improved performance within our Police Department and to improve community relations. Hedwig residents are very proud of its Police Department. Our PD is awaiting official word on whether it will receive the Recognized status. But, we congratulate the Hedwig Village Police Department employees for a job well done in participating in the program.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

CLOSURE OF ECHO LANE TO THROUGH TRAFFIC BEGINS JUNE 1, 2010

Construction on Echo Lane from Lou Al to Taylorcrest is scheduled to begin around June 1, 2010. Area residents are encouraged to avoid this area during construction. This project is a METRO funded project that will replace the present asphalt roadway with new concrete pavement. There will also be sidewalk work involved.

Hedwig Village Council awarded the bid to Huff & Mitchell, Inc. Signage about the road closure should appear at the end of May. The project is estimated to take approximately five months, weather permitting.

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