City of Washington Emergency Management Agency
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Name:
P.O. Lauren Zweifel #232
Where are you from and where did you go to high school?
I grew up in Union, Missouri and was home-schooled
What did you do prior to getting into law enforcement?
Prior to getting into law enforcement, I worked for Compass Health as an Integrated Health Specialist.
What training academy did you go to and do you have public safety experience?
I attended the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy. Prior to coming to Washington PD this year, I worked for the City of Crestwood Police Department for three years.
When did you join Washington PD and why?
The department and community gave a lot to me when I was a teenager, and I wanted to give something back. As a bonus, the department is much closer to where I live as opposed to my last department.
Washington PD gave me the opportunity to learn about law enforcement when I was with the department’s Law Enforcement Exploring program as an Explorer. The opportunities given to me as an explorer opened my eyes to what a career in law enforcement would look like and what it was like to serve your community. My time in the exploring program solidified my decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.
What is your current role within the department and do you have any specialized assignments?
I’m currently assigned to the department’s Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer and I have specialized training in crisis intervention.
Why did you choose law enforcement as a career?
I chose law enforcement because I feel like everyone should have someone to call when they are facing some of the hardest moments of their lives, or even just when they have encountered a problem they don't know the answer to.
What’s one thing you wish the public knew about law enforcement AND one thing you didn’t know until after you started?
I wish the public knew most all police officers are not "out to get them" or are there to make a bad day worse. All the officers I know, myself included, are truly there to help. There is no ulterior motive, we truly want to get your side of the story so we can understand the situation so we can provide you with the help you or someone in your life needs in that moment.
One thing I did not know until after I started working in law enforcement is that Ring Doorbell Cameras do not record unless you pay for a monthly subscription.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, spending time with friends and family, fishing, hunting, hiking, listening to music, being outdoors, and trying new foods.
Are you married? Kids?
My fiancé, Luke, and I are getting married next year. No, I don’t have any kids.
Pets?
We don’t have any.
Day Shift Summary. 04/25/26
Officers responded to the Washington Crossing shopping center for an alarm sounding.
Officers investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred in the area of Hwy 47 and Highway 100.
Officers investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred in the area of Hwy 100 and Rabbit Trail Dr.
Officers responded to the 500 block of Windy Hills to assist the fire department.
A parking complaint was addressed in the 4900 block of Southpoint Rd.
Officers responded to the area of Washington Heights and Hwy 100 for a report of Fraud.
A leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the downtown area was investigated.
Day Shift Summary. 04/26/26
Officers responded to the station for a report of a careless and reckless driver in the area of Hwy 47 and the south city limits.
Officer returned a phone call to a subject in the 500 block of Monty View who had questions in regards to suspicious behavior.
A traffic report was taken in the area of Highway 100 and High St. for a subject operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver license.
Officers responded to the area of Hwy 100 and A Roy for a motorist assist.
Officers responded to the 1000 block of Caroline Dr. for a 911 call with an open line.
Officers are investigating a delayed motor vehicle accident report that occurred earlier in the day at Hwy 47 and Steutermann Rd.
City of Washington Emergency Management Agency
City of Washington Emergency Management.
Spend your summer outside, make money, build real leadership skills, and actually enjoy going to work. The Agnes Nolting Aquatic Complex in Washington, MO is now hiring Lifeguards and Head Guards for the 2026 season!
Apply now and make Summer 2026 one you won’t forget. These posistions are hired by Midwest Pool Management and you can apply through this link!
https://midwestpool.mitccwm.com/jobs/1263736
🚨 FRIDAY FRAUD FACTS 🚨
It starts with a message… a connection… a relationship.
Romance scammers build trust by meeting victims on social media or dating sites, then quickly move the conversation to apps like WhatsApp, where it’s harder to track.
Once they’ve gained your trust, the requests begin:
💸 Emergency expenses
💸 Travel costs
💸 Medical bills
These scams prey on emotions like loneliness, love, and generosity. And they don’t happen overnight… some go on for months or even years, costing victims thousands.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For:
• Refuses to meet in person
• Wants to move conversations off the original platform
• Always has a reason they need money
• Creates urgency or emotional pressure
🛑 Protect Yourself:
Never send money to someone you’ve only met online—no matter how real it feels.
⚠️⚠️ A real example of a romance scam that was reported to the Washington Police Department was an individual who met a romantic partner on a popular dating website. Over the course of two years, the romantic relationship grew, but victim never actually met the person they were talking to. Over that time, the scammer consistently told the victim that they needed money for various things such as clothing and food. Feeling that they were in love with the person they were talking to, the victim sent nearly 1 million dollars over the lifespan of the scam to the scammer. It was later determined that the scammer was based overseas, as is the case in many of these scams.
Share this post to help protect others. Awareness can stop a scam before it starts.
Night Shift Summary. Date:04/23/2026
Vehicle crash in the 700 block of High Street. Property damage was reported in Southwinds. A stealing was investigated in the 2000 block of East 9th Street. The area of Highway 100 and Bluff Road was checked for a male walking in the roadway.
Day Shift Summary 04/23/2026
Assisted a motorist in the area of Highway 100 and Clay Street.
Non-injury vehicle crash in the area of Jefferson Street and 12th Street.
Subject was stopped for a traffic violation in the 700 block of WEst 5th Street. Subject was found to not have a valid driving privilege and was arrested.
Assisted a motorist in the area of Blue Jay Drive and Highway 47.
Non-injury vehicle crash in the area of Jefferson Street and 5th Street.
Subject was reported as suspicious in the area of West 8th Street and Camp Street. Subject was identified and it was determined they had an outstanding warrant. They were arrested.
Get ready to shop ‘til you drop at our Citywide Garage Sale! With sales happening all across town, you never know what amazing treasures you’ll find.
📖 Garage Sale Booklets Available Now!
Pick up your booklet before May 1st at:
Parks & Recreation Office
Chamber of Commerce
The Library
Each booklet includes a full list of all registered garage sales, plus highlights of some of the incredible items up for grabs!
🌧️ Rain Plan:
In case of rain, each seller will decide individually whether to participate.
Don’t miss this fun, community-wide event—mark your calendars and start planning your route!
This weekend: Front Street, from Oak Street to Elm Street, will remain closed. Sidewalks and both intersections will remain open over the weekend.
Next week: Work on Front Street will resume Monday, April 27, at which time Front Street will be closed from just west of Oak Street to just east of Cedar Street allowing access to Undergrounds Parking Lot.
We are proud to serve this community, and we believe it is important for you to know the individuals who make up our department and the roles they fill each day. We will begin by highlighting our newest officers, then continue through the department until we reach our longest-serving member, who started here in 1992.
Each post will give you a closer look by sharing their role within the department, why they chose law enforcement as a career, and why they chose to serve this community. We will also include limited personal details to help you get to know them beyond the badge.
Check back next week to meet our staff!
Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the ladies in the Administrative Office at the Washington Police Department!
Today we recognize our three incredibly knowledgeable secretaries who keep us from accidentally turning the office into complete chaos. If it’s organized, it’s because of you. If it’s on time, it’s because of you. If we didn’t completely mess it up, it’s definitely because of you.
We may have command staff for operations, but we all know who we actually go to when we need something done, found, fixed, or explained... usually more than once.
Thank you for everything you do to keep this department running and for putting up with us while you do it. We appreciate you more than you'll ever know!
#WashMO #TheyRunTheDepartment #TheRealCommandStaff #NoIdeaWhatWeAreDoing
Night Shift Summary.4/22/26
A male, registered sex offender was arrested for being present/loitering at Rennick Riverfront Park.
Trespassing was reported in the 400 block of Hooker St.
Officers responded to the 800 block of Edith St. for a report of wildlife inside a residence.
Trespassing was reported in the 2600 block of E. 5th St.
A motor vehicle crash occurred in the area of Hwy 100 and Washington Hgts.
A male was arrested for driving while revoked and a female for a person of interest entry out of Eureka PD during a traffic stop in the area of Rabbit Trail Dr. and Hwy 100.
Report of shots fired in the 2500 block of Slater Dr.
A crisis intervention report was completed in the 700 block of Clay St.
A water main break was reported in the 400 block of Stafford St.
A stray dog was reported in the 300 block of Fair St. and returned to the owner.
A stray dog was picked up in the area of Hwy 100 and Clay St. and later returned to the owner.
ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT.
Day Shift Summary 4/22/26
The well being was checked on a subject in the area of Hwy 47 and 3rd Street. The subject was fine, just playing on their phone waiting for a ride
A fraud was reported in the 1900 block of Washington Crossing
An informational report was taken concerning activity in the fairgrounds area
Property damage was reported in the 700 block of E 5th Street. A subject was taken into custody
A stealing was reported in the 700 block of Clay Street
A vehicle collision involving a deer was reported at Hwy 100 and Aroy Drive
A trespassing was reported in the 1700 block of E 5th Street
*UPDATE*
As of 8:30 a.m., Highway A at Four Mile Road is open.
*TRAFFIC ALERT*
Highway A at Four Mile Road is closed due to an accident. Detours are in place. Please avoid the area.
VIPs (Volunteers in the Park) got started today on new landscaping around the gazebo, and it’s already looking amazing!
A huge THANK YOU to Washington in Bloom for their hard work last year—thanks to them, we were able to win some of these beautiful flowers 🌸 And a special shoutout to Suntory Flowers for their generous donation of hundreds of gorgeous blooms!
We can’t wait to see this space come to life—stop by and check out the progress! 🌼🌳
