Officers & Staff

Harbor Springs is proud of its law enforcement staff. These men and women patrol our city in patrol vehicles, on foot, and on bikes. In addition to handling safety issues, our officers serve as ambassadors to our community.

Police Chief Kyle Knight

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 101 
email: kknight@harborspringspolice.com

Kyle Knight grew up in St. Johns.  He attended the Lansing Community College Police Academy and started working in St. Johns as a patrolman in 1988.  Throughout his tenure, he also worked for the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office where he held positions as a K9 Officer, Road Patrol Sergeant, and Detective Sergeant, and finished his career with the Sheriff’s Office as an Administrative Sergeant.  In 2014 he was hired as the Police Chief for the City of St. Johns.  In addition to being a police officer, Knight coached basketball and was the public address announcer for various sports for the St. Johns Public Schools.  Knight took the position of Chief of Police for Harbor Springs in June of 2017 to continue his career in law enforcement while being able to be a grandfather to his grandkids in a neighboring area.  He and his wife Denise have two adult children.  Knight is honored to have been chosen for this position and takes great pride in his department’s services.

Officer Josh Johnston

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 104
e-mail: jjohnston@harborspringspolice.com

Born in Petoskey, Johnston and his family later moved to Rogers City where he graduated from high school. He then attended Alpena Community College for three years, earning two associate degrees. Johnston continued his education at Lake Superior State University, receiving a BS degree in Law Enforcement. He then attended the Police Academy at LSSU. Working his way through college, Josh worked with the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department as a Certified Marine Patrol Officer, Animal Control Officer, and Court officer, then worked for the Montmorency County Sheriff’s Department in Atlanta, MI as a Deputy Road Patrol Officer. In 1999 Johnston joined the HSPD.  He is married and has one daughter.

Officer Tyler Swiss

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 512
e-mail: tswiss@harborspringspolice.com

Tyler is a Harbor Springs native. Tyler is a 2004 graduate of Petoskey High School. Swiss attended Northern Michigan University, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2008. Tyler worked for 3 summers as an intern with Petoskey Public Safety while pursuing his degree. Tyler completed the Police Academy at Kirtland Regional Police Academy in 2009. Before joining HSPD, Tyler worked for Emmet County Juvenile Court as a Juvenile Probation Officer for over 6 years. Tyler is also a Firefighter with the Harbor Springs Area Fire Department. Tyler is married and he and his wife are very happy they can live and work in the area. Tyler is honored to be able to serve his hometown as a Police Officer.

Officer Tyler Hoff

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 102
e-mail: thoff@harborspringspolice.com

Tyler Hoff was raised in the North Dakota/Minnesota area attending college in Minnesota where he received a degree in Criminal Justice and then attended the police academy.  Since 2013, Tyler has worked in law enforcement for five years with the Williston Police Department in Williston, North Dakota serving in road patrol, investigations, and as a member of the Williams County SWAT Team.  Tyler met his fiancée at a local coffee shop before she moved back to her hometown in Alpena, Michigan. Tyler accepted an appointment with the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office soon thereafter.   Tyler was hired by the Harbor Springs Police Department in 2019 and currently serves as a Patrol Officer.  Tyler loves the  Harbor Springs area and looks forward to serving the community and meeting all of our residents, property owners, and business owners.   

Officer Nick Strobel

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 107
e-mail: nstrobel@harborspringspolice.com

Nick Strobel grew up in Petoskey and graduated from Petoskey High School. He then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Saginaw Valley State University. While attending college Nick was a Reserve Corporal for the Frankenmuth Police Department. He then attended Kirtland Regional Police Academy and was hired by the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Tribal Police. Nick joined the Harbor Springs Police Department in February 2021 as a part-time officer and in July, he came on to the department full-time. Nick and his fiancé look forward to raising a family here, serving the community, and giving back to the area where he grew up.   

Officer Spencer Bishop

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 103
e-mail: sbishop@harborspringspolice.com

Spencer Bishop was born and raised in southern Michigan but spent his summers growing up in Harbor Springs. After high school, he attended Grand Valley State University and worked as a police cadet for the city of Kentwood while in school. Spencer graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and attended Grand Valley State University’s Police Academy. Since 2016, Spencer worked for the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office serving as a road patrol deputy, field training officer, evidence technician, and member of the dive team, and taught at the Northern Michigan College’s police academy as an adjunct professor. In the fall of 2022, Spencer joined the Harbor Springs Police Department and moved to the area with his fiance. Spencer looks forward to raising his family in the Harbor Springs area and serving the community as a police officer. 

Marine Officer Dean Cosens

Phone: (231) 526-6211
e-mail: dcosens@harborspringspolice.com

Dean Cosens has lived in Harbor Springs his whole life. He joined the Harbor Springs Police Reserve Unit in 1979, donating his time to assist the department with its everyday duties. He became a certified marine officer in 1981 and has been patrolling the waters of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan ever since.

Emily Britton – Administrative Assistant

Phone: (231) 526-6211 ext. 510
e-mail:  ebritton@harborspringspolice.com

Emily has lived in Northern Michigan her entire life.  Before joining Harbor Springs Police Department, she worked at North Central Michigan College Fitness Center for over 9 years and then moved on to be a Legal Secretary for the Emmet County Prosecutors Office where she worked for over 7 years. Emily’s hobbies include camping, hiking, and canoeing. She is married with one daughter.