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The IGH PD is an engaged and progressive law enforcement agency serving all who live, work in and visit our safe, vibrant and growing community. We have an authorized strength of 40 sworn officers (2018) and six non-sworn full-time staff members, who manage the department’s records and administrative support functions.
As a group, members of the department are highly educated professionals who receive regular advanced training focused on skill enhancement and professional development.
Our department is committed to the use of evidence-based best practices in the provision of police services. With the support of city leadership, the department employs a wide range of cutting-edge technologies to improve service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and aid in the measurement of outcomes. While the department uses a wide array of modern investigative and crime detection practices, our predominant goal is the prevention of crime. As a department, we are wholly invested in maintaining the safety, uniqueness, and livability of Inver Grove Heights.
Meet our staff
| Chief & Command Staff | |
|---|---|
Chief Melissa ChiodoPolice ChiefEmailChief Melissa Chiodo was hired to lead IGH PD in 2019 after 23 years of experience in law enforcement with the City of Minneapolis. Before beginning her career as a patrol officer, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She went on to serve as a sergeant in investigations and patrol, lieutenant in investigations and patrol, and commander in special crimes and internal affairs. Chief Chiodo earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and police leadership from Concordia University in St. Paul, and she was a logistics coordinator for the City of Minneapolis during the 35W bridge collapse and the Republican National Convention. She was also the logistics Chief for Super Bowl LII and the Incident Commander for the 2019 Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium. Chief Chiodo led the COVID-19 emergency response in IGH and co-led the response to the 2020 civil unrest in Dakota County. She is a guest speaker at events and trainings throughout the region and was featured in the PBS documentary Women in Blue in 2021. Having grown up in International Falls in far northern Minnesota, she was drawn to a leadership position in a small city. Chief Chiodo’s priorities for IGH PD include fair and impartial policing, training in de-escalation, outreach with youth and under-served communities and building safer neighborhoods through community policing initiatives. | |
Dennis HauglandDeputy ChiefEmailDeputy Chief Dennis Haugland serves as a member of the department’s leadership team, overseeing day‑to‑day operations and ensuring the effective delivery of police services to the community. In this role, he provides direct supervision to division commanders, supports organizational strategic planning, and assists the Chief with department‑wide initiatives, policy development, and budgetary management. Deputy Chief Haugland currently oversees several critical functions, including accreditation management, fleet operations, grants administration, and serves as the public information officer. Deputy Chief Haugland began his career with the department in 2005 and has served in a wide range of assignments throughout his tenure, giving him broad operational and administrative experience. In 2018, he was promoted to a command‑level position and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) Session #89. | |
Joshua OtisCommander, Criminal Investigations DivisionEmailCommander Joshua Otis oversees the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) for the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. In this role, he is responsible for the supervision and coordination of criminal investigations, investigative personnel, case management, and investigative strategy. The division manages major crimes, follow-up investigations, and coordination with regional partners and prosecutors to ensure thorough case preparation and successful outcomes. In addition to CID, Commander Otis oversees several department programs and operational functions, including business licensing background investigations, the Drug Enforcement program, coordinated mental health response initiatives, emergency management coordination, offender apprehension efforts, the predatory offender program, and the department’s wellness and fitness initiatives. Commander Otis began his career with the Inver Grove Heights Police Department in 2001 and has served in a wide variety of assignments throughout the organization. He has held a command-level position since 2012 and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session #272. | |
John DanielsCommander, Professional Services DivisionEmail Commander John Daniels leads the Professional Services Division, where he oversees support staff, the evidence room, the detention facility, compliance with state and federal standards, school resource officers, and the community liaison program. He believes that building a strong community requires a partnership between residents and the police department, and he is committed to strengthening this relationship. Commander Daniels joined the department in 1998 after graduating from Inver Hills Community College. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Mary’s University and a master’s degree in Police Administration from the University of Saint Thomas. He has supervised patrol, investigators, and various other departmental functions. | |
Adam WiederhoeftCommander, Patrol DivisionEmail Commander Adam Wiederhoeft leads the Patrol Division for the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. The Patrol Division responds to 911 emergency calls for service and provides critical frontline services to ensure public safety throughout the community. In this role, he oversees and supervises patrol officers, sergeants, cadets, and reserve personnel, and is responsible for coordinating essential operational functions, including emergency response, traffic enforcement, proactive crime prevention, and community engagement. In addition to patrol operations, Commander Wiederhoeft oversees the department’s drone program, field training program, canine program, mobile field force, and code compliance. He also collaborates with county-wide initiatives such as the Traffic Safety Group (Towards Zero Deaths) and serves as a member of the South Metro SWAT Board. Commander Wiederhoeft regularly meets with community members and stakeholders to foster strong partnerships and maintain open lines of communication, ensuring the Patrol Division continues to meet the community’s needs. Commander Wiederhoeft has proudly served with the Inver Grove Heights Police Department since 2005. Throughout his career, he has held assignments as an Investigator and Patrol Sergeant, providing him with broad operational and supervisory experience. In 2024, he graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command (Class #594). |