Public Safety

There are a variety of ways that cities provide police and fire protection services to their communities. While many cities have their own departments, it is not uncommon for cities to share these services with neighboring communities through a service contract. Small cities often find such arrangements to be more cost effective and result in better service for residents.

Police & Fire Protection in Shorewood

Shorewood provides police and fire protection services in partnership with its neighboring communities using joint powers agreements. Under the state’s Joint Powers Act, such agreements enable cities, counties, school districts, tribes, and many other types of public entities to cooperatively provide services common to them. A governing board, comprised of members of the agreement, oversees the administration and delivery of the service. 

  • South Lake Minnetonka Police Department: The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) includes the cities of Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Excelsior and Greenwood. The mayors of each city comprise the governing board. The police chief reports to the board and is responsible for both day-to-day and strategic operations of the department.
  • Excelsior Fire District: The Excelsior Fire District (EFD) includes the same member communities as the SLMPD, but also includes the City of Deephaven. Council members from each member city make up the governing board. Like the SLMPD, the fire chief reports to the board and meets regularly with the city administrators. 
  • Mound Fire Department: The Mound Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1923 to serve the growing community and surrounding area. As of 2002, the number of people MFD serves and protects has grown to approximately 17,500, including Shorewood island resdients. MFD provides not only firefighting, but also medical rescue response, auto extrication, water and ice rescue, hazardous materials response, and fire prevention service.

Hennepin County