SHELL LAKE, WI — Warren Tuttle has been selected as the next Chief of Police for the City of Shell Lake, with the Shell Lake City Council making the appointment official during its September 14 meeting.
Tuttle will begin serving as chief on October 19. He will be sworn in on his first day, with a public swearing-in ceremony planned for the City Council meeting scheduled for November 9.
The city had been working to fill several positions within its police department over the past two years. City Administrator Andrew Eiche said Mike Jaszczak had agreed to serve as interim chief while the city searched for a new full-time chief, as well as a full-time police officer following the departure of Gabe Kapanke.
Eiche said Tuttle's familiarity with Shell Lake, along with his law enforcement experience, made him a strong fit for the position.
“Everything!” Eiche said when asked what made Tuttle the right candidate. “Warren lives in Shell Lake and knows Shell Lake inside and out. We are very fortunate from that standpoint. Warren brings a great deal of experience to the table. He has worked with several departments and has done multiple duties within those departments, which make him a great fit for a leadership role.”
“The City of Shell Lake has been looking to fill several positions within the police department over the past two years,” Eiche said. “We have been fortunate to have Mike Jaszczak on staff to serve as our Interim Chief of Police while we performed our search, not only for a new Chief, but also a full-time police officer to fill the departure of Gabe Kapanke.”
“We believe Warren Tuttle is a perfect fit for our community and look forward to having him as our Police Department leader for many years to come,” Eiche added. “His experience and professionalism will be a great benefit to our community.”
Tuttle began his law enforcement career in 2003. Before joining the Washburn County Sheriff's Office in 2014, he served with the St. Croix Tribal Police Department, including as a patrol sergeant overseeing the daily operations of 12 officers.
During his career with the Washburn County Sheriff's Office, Tuttle has served as a field training officer, emergency vehicle operations instructor, vehicle contacts instructor, and licensed drone pilot. He has also contributed to department policy reviews, coordinated deputy scheduling, and helped prepare deputies for specialized roles.
In 2018, Tuttle completed the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program, a leadership training program for law enforcement professionals.
Tuttle has been a Shell Lake resident for 17 years.
“I am proud to have the opportunity to be the next Shell Lake Chief of Police,” Tuttle said. “I appreciate the support and trust that the city council and mayor have given me.”
Tuttle also acknowledged the recent uncertainty surrounding the department and said rebuilding community confidence will be a priority.
“Over the last few months, the community has had a level of uncertainty in the police department,” Tuttle said. “I will work diligently to rebuild the confidence the community has in its police department.”
Last Update: Sep 18, 2026 3:08 pm CDT
