Cloquet Police Department

Weekly Newsletter
Week Ending May 15, 2015
ADMINISTRATION
Chief Steve Stracek
Commander Carey Ferrell
Commander Derek Randall

OFFICERS
Detective Darrin Berg
Detective Scott Holman
Sergeant Rick Benko
Sergeant Jeff Palmer
Sergeant Tom Hallfrisch
Corporal Erik Blesener
Corporal Steve Fiske
Corporal Corey Schneberger
Officer Scott Beckman
Officer Eric Baker
Officer Kerrick Johnson
Officer Adam Reed
Officer Charles Martin
Officer Kristina Kohlmeyer
Officer Nathan Cook
Officer Erika Johnson
Officer Kyle Voltzke
Officer Laci Silgjord

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Shannon Nelson
Nicole Eckenberg

508 Cloquet Avenue

Cloquet, MN 55720
Phone (218)879-1247
Fax (218) 879-1190
www.ci.cloquet.mn.us

OPERATIONS:

Last week, three new officers started with the

department. We welcomed Officer Erika
Johnson, Officer Kyle Voltzke and Officer Laci
Silgjord to our patrol division. They will now
begin the field training process and work with a
Field Training Officer for the next several
weeks.
On May 5, 2015, Sergeant Carey Ferrell and I
were promoted to the rank of Commander. With
the retirement of Deputy Chief Terry Hill last
August, the Deputy Chief position was
eliminated in lieu of two Commander positions.
Commander Ferrell will supervise the Patrol
divisions while I will oversee the Administration
and Investigations divisions. Both of us look
forward to working together with Chief Stracek
and the rest of the department as we move
forward with these new and exciting times at the
department.
Last week, Sergeants Hallfrisch, Palmer,
Holman and Officers Martin and Reed attended
Field Training Officer training in Hermantown.
They will complement our current Field
Training Officers. Some of the duties of the
Field Training Officer are: being a role model to
the new officers, clearly communicating the
expectations of the training, teaching the
policies of the department, correct application of
the concepts learned in the classroom to the
field, and evaluating the trainee on his or her
progress throughout the program. Field Training
Officers are also responsible for ensuring the
shift duties are performed correctly and
thoroughly.
This week, Chief Stracek ordered four police
patrol bicycles. The bikes will be utilized during
the summer months to provide additional patrol
functions. Bike patrol gives the officers more
opportunity to build relationships with the
citizens and patrol in places where squad cars
are unable to maneuver. Bicycles allow the
officers to see and hear much more than they can

from inside a patrol car and come with

much lower operating and maintenance
costs compared to patrol cars.
We currently have seven officers
scheduled to attend Police Bicycle Patrol
training in June in Duluth. The training
will help the officers transition from
traditional vehicle patrol tactics,
operations, and procedures to patrolling on
a bicycle and the challenges and benefits
they will encounter.
This week, Sergeants Benko and
Hallfrisch attend the FBIs Law
Enforcement Executive Development
Seminar, which was held on the campus of
Saint Cloud State University. Attendees
are provided with instruction and
facilitation in the areas of leadership,
strategic planning, legal issues, labor
relations, media relations, social issues,
and police programs.
On Wednesday, I was able to attend a tour
of the Tagwii Recovery Center on the
Fond du Lac Reservation. We were shown
the operations side of the facility as well
as the resources and treatment options
available to our community members in
need.
Last week the department updated our
Nixle service. Nixle provides an open
communication and engagement platform
that connects public safety and residents
and the communities they serve. Nixle
enables real-time, two-way
communication through text, email, voice
messages, social media, and the Nixle
mobile app. We currently use Nixle to
send out alert notifications, severe weather
updates, public help requests, and
anonymous tipping. You can currently
send anonymous tips to TIP
CLOQUETPD followed by your message

Cloquet Police Mission Statement

Provide quality police services to the community; uphold the constitution; enforce state laws and city code; and respond to and deter crime.
We will nurture public trust by striving to attain the highest degree of integrity and professional conduct at all times.

Cloquet Police Department Weekly Newsletter Page 2

to 888777. Other notifications include weather updates,

which can be activated by texting CLOQUETNWS to
888777. Our future plans include SMS alerts for special
events, e.g. parades and festivals as well as road
construction updates. The service is free of charge, but text
message fees may apply. For more info, text 55720 to
888777 or check out our Nixle page at
https://nixle.com/cloquet-police-department/ or on
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/cloquetpolicemn

Patrol officers and detectives made several significant

warrant arrests this week. At least two arrests were made for
individuals who had outstanding drug warrants.

On Friday, a group of fifth graders greeted us with treats

and Thank You cards to the Cloquet Police Department
for Kindness Day. All of us are very appreciative of the
kindness you showed us and your generous gift of desserts
and snacks. Before leaving, we gave them a quick tour of
our department where they saw many of the changes going
on inside our building.

With the Citys Spring Cleanup right around the corner,

officers will be patrolling the neighborhoods, looking for
properties in violation of City ordinances, specifically those
in violations of the Chapter 7-Public Nuisances. Residents
will be given options on how to rectify the issue(s). After
that, a written warning will be issued, followed by a citation
if the issues are not corrected.

Officers also continue to respond to citizen complaints of

disorderly houses and suspected drug activity in their
neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to call 911 when
these issues are occurring so officers can respond to them
while they are in progress.

Lastly, this week is National Police Week, a week of

planned events that honor those who have paid the ultimate
sacrifice in the line of duty. From all of us at the Cloquet
Police Department, we give our condolences to the families
of officers who lost their lives serving others.
In valor there is hope.

PATROL/DETECTIVES:
Last week Detective Berg, Officer Beckman, and I assisted
the Lake Superior Gang and Drug Task Force in the
execution of a search warrant in our city. The search warrant
was part of an ongoing investigation and our multi-agency
approach to combating and deterring drug crimes in our
communities.

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

Respectfully submitted,

Derek Randall
Commander
Administration & Investigations