Area public safety
FOREST LAKE The Forest Lake Police Department provides 24-hour services to the residents living throughout the city’ s 36 square miles. The police department is located in the Forest Lake City Center complex, and Police Chief Rick Peterson serves as the director of public safety / police chief.( Peterson will retire on April 3, 2026. A replacement has not yet been announced.)
Throughout the year, Community Engagement Coordinator Julie Griffin and several patrol officers facilitate educational presentations, participate in community events and take a proactive approach to crime-prevention measures throughout the city. The community-relations position focuses on strengthening the partnership between the police department and the school district, as well as the business and residential communities.
Officers participate each year in the following events and programs: police department tours, Night to Unite, Forest Lake Safety Camp, Neighborhood Watch, a drug-awareness program, Shop with a Cop, and Arts in the Park.
The Forest Lake Police Department looks forward to expanding the community-policing efforts and educating the public on crime prevention. Learn more about the department and what it offers citizens at its website at flpd. com or on Facebook at facebook. com / forestlakepolicedept.
Police Department hours are 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. Monday through Friday. The phone numbers are 651-464-5877 during business hours and 651-439- 9381 after hours. Dial 911 for emergencies.
The Forest Lake Fire Department receives more than 500 calls for service annually and responds out of two fire stations. Station 1 is located in the Forest Lake City Center at 1408 Lake Street South, and Station 2 is located next to Columbus City Hall at 16319 Kettle River Blvd. These two communities fund the department under a joint-powers agreement and share
ownership of all its firefighting equipment.
FLFD’ s staff is headed by Chief Al Newman and paid-on-call firefighters. In addition to fire response, firefighters attend weekly training and meetings in order to be ready for any emergency. Once hired by the FLFD, all members must complete basic firefighter training, medical first-responder courses, and hazardous-materials education.
WYOMING Wyoming Public Safety Director Neil Bauer takes responsibility for organizing 24-hour fire and police services for the city, with a focus on preservation of life, protection of property and service to the community. Citizens offer help to the paid departments by volunteering for the police reserves or fire-cadet program.
The Wyoming Police Department, a roughly 10-person unit, emphasizes crime prevention through early intervention, community partnerships and such programs as PEAK( Police Education Area Kids) and Night to Unit. The
activities all seek to prevent crime and enhance the quality of life in Wyoming.
Both the Fire and Police Department members make presentations at churches, schools and community events throughout the year.
The Fire Department consists of Public Safety Director Neil Bauer, Fire Chief Jesse Milligan and roughly 30 firefighters, who all focus on fire prevention and suppression. They are an all-hazards response department, responding to active fires, rescue situations, vehicle crashes, medical emergencies, and HAZMAT situations. The firefighters work closely with the police officers and EMS personnel to provide robust emergency services.
Potential firefighters must be 18 years old and capable of responding to the fire hall within eight minutes; they must have a high school diploma or GED and be in good enough physical condition to perform the required duties. Those interested are encouraged to
PUBLIC SAFETY see Page 33
Page 32 Forest Lake Community Guide • February, 2026