Department Staff

The Village of Lake Odessa employs a Chief of Police, three full-time police officers, and four reserve officers. If you have an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. To contact the Lake Odessa Police Department, please call (616) 374-8845. To speak with the Chief of Police, please dial (616) 374-0722.

Chief Kendra Backing: Chief Kendra Backing began leading the Lake Odessa Police Department in August 2018. Chief Backing holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, also from Ferris State University. Backing worked for the City of Evart, Michigan and the City of Hastings, Michigan prior to accepting the position of Chief of Police in Lake Odessa. Chief Backing may be contacted at (616) 374-0722.

Police Officer Eric Tollefson: Officer Eric Tollefson began working for the Village of Lake Odessa in April of 2019. Officer Tollefson holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University in Public Relations and is also a graduate of Grand Valley State University's Police Academy. Before working for the Village of Lake Odessa, Officer Tollefson worked for the City of Otsego, Michigan and for the Allegan County Sheriff's Department. Officer Tollefson is a certified firearms instructor by the State of Michigan. 

Police Officer Curtis Colvin: Officer Curtis Colvin began working for the Village's Police Department in June 2024. 

Code Enforcement Officer Artemio Villanueva: Artemio "Art" Villanueva began working as the Village's Code Enforcement Officer in October 2022. He can be reached via phone at: (269) 953-7371 and  via email at: codeenforcement@lakeodessa.org.