Sheriff's Office Newsletter - September 2023 Volume 9, Issue 9
September 2023 Newsletter (Volume 9, Issue 9)
Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Kevin Torgerson
As we say goodbye to summer 2023 and hello to fall there is much to be thankful for. We’ve had great participation in the events this summer organized by so many in every community to the festivals, parades, Night to Unite, Olmsted County Fair and much more. THANK YOU ALL for letting us participate with you. Our deputies have handed out more ice cream coupons for kids wearing helmets than ever before. At the same time, they are encouraging others to take those simple safety measures to heart. What a summer it has been!
With that in mind, schools are back in session, harvest is soon to be upon us with Friday Night Lights football, soccer, and volleyball activities everywhere. We encourage all to drive safely, buckle up, put the phone down, slow down, and above all DRIVE SOBER. As the saying goes, “buzzed driving is impaired driving.”
Be safe everyone.
New Course Developed for Basic Classroom Instruction
Captain Macey Tesmer
Twenty years ago the National Institute of Corrections offered several different courses for Correctional Professionals to learn how to be classroom trainers, or training coordinators. Over the years those courses have disappeared leaving a gap in providing quality training for those that are going into positions training positions in their organizations.
The Olmsted County ADC has a training division but needs to rely on other staff to assist with training required for annual training as well as academies for our new hires. Detention Deputy Mary Mauseth recognized there was a need to not only recruit others to assist with providing this training, but also to provide them with skills to be successful trainers. As a result, she developed a Basic Classroom Instructors course for those interested in be a classroom instructor.
Training classroom instruction is significantly different than teaching hands on skills like Use of Force. Classroom training requires understanding different adult learning styles so that you are connecting and educating everyone in the room. This new course includes information about adult learning styles, how to create a learning environment, how to facilitate group activities and how to address classroom disruptions or disruptive behavior.
Mary piloted the first class with a small group of Detention Deputies from Olmsted County and made some adjustments to the curriculum based on feedback. In July Olmsted County hosted and offered this class to the 6th jail district which allowed professionals from other regional counties to attend free of charge. There were participants not only from Olmsted County, but Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Redwood and Winona counties. In addition to learning the curriculum participants conducted a filmed teach back. This provided them an opportunity to see themselves deliver curriculum, see what their strengths are and what distracting behaviors they may need to be aware of.
By offering this curriculum, Olmsted County has identified several staff that will be able to assist with future trainings and academies as well as shared this curriculum with other counties to benefit their training programs.
Project Hero
Sheriff Torgerson had the honor of participating in the Great Lakes Challenge Ride for the Project Hero organization on August 23rd. Thank you to our Deputies who helped escort them throughout Olmsted County and Deputy Tyler Heiden who helped plan the route but couldn't join in the ride this year. We hope to have more local riders join the challenge riders next year!
Project Hero is a mission to involve military and first responders to help them heal. Through outdoor recreational therapy and community programs, they empower them to overcome challenges associated with their wounds – whether visible or hidden. Approximately 30 riders made up of military and law enforcement past and present rode their bicycles from St. Paul, Minnesota to Madison, Wisconsin. You can learn more on the Project Hero website.
Project Lifesaver Training Held
On August 17, 2023, in collaboration with the City of Rochester, MN Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Wabasha County Sheriff's Office, Project Lifesaver training was held at Oxbow Park. The training featured different scenarios where the group broke up into multiple teams and searched for a missing person wearing a Project Lifesaver transmitter. Learn more on the Project Lifesaver website.
Night to Unite
Night to Unite was held Tuesday, August 1, 2023, and our staff had the pleasure of attending more than 25 events. Night to Unite (also known as National Night Out across the United States) is a statewide event that builds and fosters community bonds between citizens, businesses, and public safety organizations, like the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department.
This annual celebration occurs on the first Tuesday in August and gathers neighborhoods and public safety personnel together for an evening to promote safe communities.
A special thanks to those that came out to join us, those who hosted parties, and our sponsor, Custom Alarm, for their support in helping make the event a success!
Monthly Snapshot: Adult Detention Center
Captain Macey Tesmer
Annual training hours include required training and new hire academies:
2021 - 6019 hours
2022 - 4929 hours
2023 - 1395 hours as of 8/1/2023
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Chief Deputy—ADC
James Schueller
Captains
David Adams
Samantha Reps
Macey Tesmer
Chief Deputy—LEC
Brian Howard
Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins
Dates of Interest
September 1
Dover City Council Meeting
September 5
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
September 7
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
September 11
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
September 12
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
September 14
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
September 18
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
September 19
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
September 20
Haverhill Township Meeting
September 25
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
September 26
Byron City Council Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
September 28
Dover Township Meeting
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting