Willems is HPD’s new detective
The Hudson Police Department has a new detective. With more than a decade of experience as a patrol officer, five with the HPD, Geoff Willems has been promoted to replace Shawn Pettee, who is returning to patrol.
The Hudson Police Department has a new detective.
With more than a decade of experience as a patrol officer, five with the HPD, Geoff Willems has been promoted to replace Shawn Pettee, who is returning to patrol. Prior to coming to Hudson, Willems served for five years with the North Hudson Police Department.
Willems said it was time for a change and an opportunity to move his career forward. He is also looking forward to having more time with his wife Holly and five-year-old son Logan. “I’ve had 10 years of working nights and weekends for a long time and it will be good to have a more normal schedule and more time together. My family and I deserve it.”
In addition to his experience, Willems has a master’s degree in police administration, leadership and education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul. He has also completed training in interview and interrogation techniques, crime scene investigation and evidence collection and has assisted on search warrants and other investigations.
Willems said that his new job will mean a change of pace from patrol work and more flexibility. “On patrol you are subject to the radio and the calls that come in. In between you make traffic stops or stop and check in with businesses. As a detective you have more freedom to structure and prioritize your day to fit your cases.”
Willems said he expects to see a different side of things in his new job.
Working nights, his job often entailed working with people who were either intoxicated or on drugs and whose behavior got them in trouble. As an investigator he believes it will be a different experience.
“On this side of things, I will be talking with victims who have done nothing wrong. My job is to find out what happened, why it happened and to hold the person or people responsible accountable for their actions.”
Willems said on patrol, officers make a report with as much detail as they have but they don’t usually get to know the outcome of the cases. One of his goals in his new job is to improve the line of communication between patrol officers and the detective unit.
Like the man he is replacing, Willems is concerned about the size of the caseload for the HPD’s two detective but he is ready to hit the ground running.
“The community deserves a motivated detective and I’ll do my best to hold up my end of the bargain.”
Willems can be reached at (715) 386-4771.
Tags: crime and courts, news, hudson
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