Houghton Police Department Audit Called “Remarkable”

The Houghton Police Department is getting high praise from the state for its performance in a recent audit.

City Clerk Ann Vollrath read a letter to the City Council Wednesday from the Department of State Police.

The department had conducted a Law Enforcement Information Network audit of the Houghton Police office in September.

Officers Lt. Nick Roberts and Polly Salmi were credited in the letter as well as the rest of the staff with maintaining records in a clear, organized and up-to-date manner.

The audit found the department was compliant in all components, an achievement the state described as “remarkable.”

A second letter read by Vollrath detailed one resident’s experience with Sergeant Daron Kari following a vehicle accident, in which the resident praised Sergeant Kari’s actions to ensure the safety and physical and emotional well being of the victim.

Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly echoed the comments from both letters on the job the department staff has been doing.

He added that Sergeant Kari along with Officer Jason Tormala were at evidence tech school receiving forensics training.

Donnelly said Lt. Roberts and Officer Ben Ruohonen are scheduled to receive training in dealing with residents with mental health issues.

Those officers will then be able to share what they learned with the rest of the department.