Valparaiso Police Department

06/22/2026

🎉Congratulations to School Resource Officer Shannon Morris!

The Valparaiso Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Shannon Morris for achieving his Master School Resource Officer Accreditation through the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.

This prestigious accomplishment represents the highest level of professional recognition for a School Resource Officer and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated extensive experience, advanced training, and a long-term commitment to school-based policing. In practical terms, a Master SRO is an officer who has gone beyond basic certification and consistently demonstrated excellence in the SRO profession. Officer Morris earned this distinction through his dedication to the role, including accumulating more than seven years of verifiable SRO experience.

Officer Morris' impact extends far beyond the classroom. Through his unwavering commitment to the students, families, faculty, and staff of Valparaiso Community Schools, he has built lasting relationships founded on trust, mentorship, and service. His presence helps foster a safe and supportive learning environment while serving as a positive role model for young people throughout our community.

His dedication to the schools, the Valparaiso community as a whole, and the example he sets each day for students, families, and educators reflects the very best of our profession. Officer Morris embodies the values of service, leadership, and integrity, and his efforts continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Morris on this well-deserved achievement. We are incredibly proud of his hard work, commitment, and the positive impact he has made throughout his career.

06/18/2026

In recognition of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, the Valparaiso Police Department is proud to introduce the Purple Envelope Program, a voluntary initiative designed to enhance communication between drivers with memory impairments and first responders.

The program includes a purple envelope, window sticker, and emergency contact card. The window sticker discreetly alerts law enforcement and other first responders that the driver may have a memory impairment, helping officers tailor their communication and response. The purple envelope provides a convenient place to store important documents, while the contact card contains information for a trusted family member, caregiver, or friend who can be contacted if needed.

This program is intended for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive conditions who continue to drive independently. It may also be kept in a vehicle that an individual with a memory impairment regularly accesses or rides in, even if they no longer drive themselves.

The Purple Envelope Program is another way the Valparaiso Police Department is working to support the safety, independence, and dignity of community members while providing officers with tools to better serve those with unique needs.

For more information about the Purple Envelope Program or to obtain a packet, please stop by the Valparaiso Police Department or contact Police Social Worker Natalie Beare at 219-462-2135. Packets are available free of charge and participation is voluntary.

06/16/2026

🚔 SAVE THE DATE! 🚔

Mark your calendars for National Night Out 2026!

New for 2026, the Valparaiso Police Department is bringing National Night Out together as one large community celebration at Central Park Plaza. Join us on August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., for an evening dedicated to strengthening community partnerships, meeting your local first responders, and connecting with neighbors.

This exciting new format will bring the entire community together in one location for a fun-filled evening for all ages.

More details, activities, and event information will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, save the date and plan to join us at Central Park Plaza!

06/08/2026

06/04/2026

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, please take a moment to review the City of Valparaiso's fireworks ordinance shown below.

Knowing and following the ordinance helps ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. When using fireworks, please prioritize safety, be considerate of your neighbors, and remain mindful of pets, veterans, and others who may be sensitive to loud noises.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding fireworks regulations within the City of Valparaiso, please contact the Valparaiso Police Department at 219-462-2135.

06/03/2026

This morning, the Valparaiso Police Department was pleased to welcome the coaches and staff from Valparaiso University Athletics as part of their Annual Coaches Tour!

It was a pleasure meeting with everyone, sharing information about our department, and providing a behind-the-scenes tour of the Valparaiso Police Department. We enjoyed giving our guests a quick look inside VPD and highlighting the work our officers and staff do every day to serve our community.

Thanks for stopping by and GO BEACONS!

06/01/2026

🎉 Join us in celebrating our Valparaiso Police Department team members marking work anniversaries this June! Thank you all for your dedication, professionalism, and continued service to our community. 👏💙

⭐ Assistant Chief Mark LaMotte — 14 Years
⭐ Captain E. Joe Hall — 20 Years
⭐ Lieutenant Jerame Simpson — 20 Years
⭐ Sergeant Ryan Sobierajski — 14 Years
⭐ Sergeant Jason Wray — 5 Years
⭐ Patrol Officer Julian Cardiel — 1 Year
⭐ Patrol Officer Jonah Crafton — 1 Year
⭐ Patrol Officer Preston Morris — 1 Year
⭐ Police Social Worker Natalie Beare — 3 Years

Your commitment to serving and protecting Valparaiso makes a difference every day. Congratulations on these important milestones and thank you for all you do for our community! 🚔

05/27/2026

👏 Congratulations to the graduating class of the Valparaiso Police Department’s 2026 Citizen Police Academy! 🎓

Over the course of this session, participants gained an inside look at the dedicated work our officers and staff perform every day to serve and protect the Valparaiso community. From learning about our new Real Time Information Center (RTIC) to presentations from every division of the department, this class explored the many specialized roles that make our agency strong.

Graduates experienced firsthand demonstrations and discussions featuring our K9 Unit, Drone Team, Bike Patrol, School Resource Officers, Emergency Medical Responders, and so much more. We hope this experience provided valuable insight into the professionalism, teamwork, and commitment behind modern policing in Valparaiso.

Thank you to all of our graduates for your enthusiasm, engagement, and support throughout this wonderful session. We truly enjoyed getting to know each of you!

Interested in joining the next Citizen Police Academy class? Be sure to follow our social media pages for announcements and application information for the 2027 session! 🚔💙

05/25/2026

Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

As you gather with family and friends this holiday, please celebrate responsibly:
🚓 Don’t drink and drive
🎆 Use caution with holiday activities
🚦 Be patient on the roads and watch for increased traffic
❤️ Take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day

From all of us at the Valparaiso Police Department, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/20/2026

🚔 Take a look inside the year at the Valparaiso Police Department!

The 2025 Annual Report is now available on our official website. This report highlights the work, service, and accomplishments of our department over the past year — including community initiatives, important statistics, special events, department updates, and photos that capture the dedication of our officers and staff.

Whether you want to learn more about the Valparaiso Police Department, see a recap of 2025, or explore how we continue serving our community, the annual report is a great resource for residents and visitors alike.

📖 View the full 2025 Annual Report here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://bit.ly/4nGIobN

Thank you to our community for your continued support and partnership. Together, we help keep Valparaiso a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.