Sheriff’s Office Newsletter - February 2021

To view each of the different stories in the February 2021 newsletter (Volume 7, Issue 2), please click on the tabs below.

We Want You

ADC Training Division Update

ADC Training Division Update

Sgt. Maja Donohue

2020 was an unprecedented year for everyone. We all had to make adjustments and sacrifices to our day-to-day routines and the Adult Detention Center Training Division was no exception.

Launching a new field training software proved to be a challenge during a state-wide pandemic. This type of project would have required extensive hands-on training under any other circumstance but was quickly ruled out as an option. For approximately two months, the training division worked remotely with the field training officers to learn the new software and adapt to new documentation practices. Although troubleshooting through email and phone calls proved frustrating and inefficient at times, the project was nonetheless implemented successfully, and the result was well worth the effort – regardless of the circumstance.

Canceling all in-person training had the biggest impact. Online alternatives had to be explored and implemented to maintain compliance with the Department of Corrections’ training standards. And while online learning was not a new concept to corrections, it had never been the preferred or most effective way to deliver instructional content. That said, some material we simply could not deliver in an online format. We were forced to experiment with virtual trainings to complete our medical refresher for example. This topic, delivered remotely, was a new experience for us and feedback about the class was mixed. A few people we comfortable with technology and a remote learning environment, while others expressed frustration and the desire for it to be delivered traditionally in the future.

The ADC’s three-week training academy was another change. New and creative ways to deliver training were implemented. An opportunity to collaborate with another agency to deliver a blended-learning communications class was explored. New detention deputies attended the class via webcam while the guest agency’s new staff joined remotely on video as well. To encourage students’ participation, group chat features were used to facilitate activities and class discussions. This was an entirely new experience for us, but we intend to learn and build on this experience to team up with other Counties in the future.

Restrictions on group gatherings required adjustments to how certain topics, such as CPR, are taught as well. Traditionally, this class was scheduled with an outside provider who typically instructed a large class and had limited flexibility with their schedule. Social distancing made this impractical, so we chose specific staff to be certified as instructors and deliver the course in-house. This option allowed for a more customized and limited training experience.  Control over class size and scheduling made it much easier to accommodate training sessions in a safe environment and within a reasonable timeline. Another example is use of force. A couple of use of force tools that enable staff to practice techniques individually and without close contact were purchased to facilitate use of force.

All in all, everyone would agree that 2020 was difficult. However, these challenges enabled us to develop viable alternatives, increased our resiliency to change, and gave rise to innovative strategies that will benefit the organization in the future.

Rochester Polar Plunge date set for March 20th, 2021

Rochester Polar Plunge date set for March 20th, 2021

Sheriff's Office mechanics Work Tirelessly to Maintain Fleet of Vehicles

Sheriff's Office mechanics Work Tirelessly to Maintain Fleet of Vehicles

Captain Tim Parkin

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office has two mechanics, Jeff Peck and Josh Morris, that maintain approximately 96 vehicles. This includes squad cars, both marked and unmarked, SUV's and trucks. Additionally, they support our boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, generators, and more. With vehicles being rotated in and out of the fleet routinely, the mechanics have no work shortage. Since September 2020, they have received 11 new squads, with 14 more on the way. Each car can take 40 or more labor hours to prepare for service. And when they are not building the new cars, they are maintaining others to be in serviceable condition. The care can include oil changes, tire replacements, brakes and transmission service, and a great deal more. Without our mechanic's dedicated work to keep our fleet in great shape, we could not assist Olmsted County residents. Here is a thank you for all the hard work Jeff and Josh continually perform for us.

Congratulations, Deputy Pagel!

Congratulations, Deputy Pagel!

Olmsted County Deputy Tracey Pagel was named American Legion 1st District Law Enforcement Officer of the Year this past fall received the honor for the entire State of Minnesota! Deputy Pagel received the honor for her outstanding contributions to law enforcement, including her work in helping save the life of a 3-year-old who was not breathing and didn’t have a pulse following a car crash on Nov. 4, 2019, in rural Olmsted County. Congratulations, Deputy Pagel, on the well-deserved honor. We are very proud of you and the service you provide to Olmsted County.

New Courtroom Built to Allow for COVID Restrictions During Jury Trials

New Courtroom Built to Allow for COVID Restrictions During Dury Trials

Sergeant Lee Rossman

As with everything in our lives in 2020, COVID has affected Olmsted County courts and the process of completing jury trials. To adhere to social distancing restrictions, jury trials were attempted early on but it was found that up to 4 courtrooms were needed during the selection of a jury and during the trials. Alternative sites, such as churches, businesses, and the Mayo Civic Center were reviewed but determined not to be what was needed for legal and safety purposes. Olmsted County Building Operations determined the second floor of the Work Release Facility Annex, which was unfinished, was a good location to build our own social distance courtroom and began a design process in August. Partial funding was found using CARES COVID relief money and construction was began in November and will be completed at about the end of January. The new facility not only has a larger courtroom, but includes a large jury assembly room, jury deliberation room, an overflow/public viewing room, conference rooms, and restrooms. Also included is a secure holding area and workspace for deputies assigned to court security from the ADC and Law Enforcement Divisions. For added security, a new screening area was built at the main entrance with an x-ray machine, metal detector, and views of security cameras in and around the building. Six new positions were created to cover for court and security at the building; 3 from the LE side and 3 from the ADC side. The total cost for the project was $3.3 million. Court trials may resume in the near future.

Monthly Snapshot

Monthly Snapshot - Adult Detention Center Staffing

Captain Dave Adams

Adult Detention New Hires - 2019 (19) - 2020 (19)

2019 4 groups of new hires.  A group of (6).  A group of (7) and 2 groups of (3) for a total of 19.  Of those 19, 10 remain.

2020 3 groups of new hires.  A group of (7) and 2 groups of (6) for a total of 19.  Of those 19, 16 remain.

Dates of Interest

Dates of Interest

Note—these are regular dates—please verify these meetings are taking place as well as the forum they’ll be held in.

February 1

Oronoco Township Meeting

Pleasant Grove Township Meeting

Quincy Township Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

February 2

Elmira Township Meeting

High Forest Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

February 3

Salem Township Meeting

February 4

Dover City Council Meeting

February 8

Cascade Township Meeting

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Orion Township Meeting

Rock Dell Township Meeting

February 9

Byron City Council Meeting

Marion Township Meeting

New Haven Township Meeting

Stewartville City Council Meeting

February 11

Eyota City Council Meeting

Rochester Township Meeting

February 15

Eyota Township Meeting

Kalmar Township Meeting

Oronoco City Council Meeting

Rochester City Council Meeting

February 16

Farmington Township Meeting

Olmsted County Board Meeting

Pine Island City Council Meeting

February 17

Haverhill Township Meeting

February 22

Chatfield City Council Meeting

Viola Township Meeting

February 23

Byron City Council Meeting

Spring Awards Program

Stewartville City Council Meeting

February 25

Eyota City Council Meeting

Olmsted County Fire Meeting

Olmsted County Township Association Meeting

Senior Administration

Senior Administration

Sheriff

Kevin Torgerson

Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement Center

Terry Waletzki

Captains

Scott Behrns

Mike Bromberg

Jon Jacobson

Tim Parkin

Chris Wallace

Executive Assistant 

Laura Collins

Chief Deputy of Adult Detention Center

Brian Howard

Captains

David Adams

Samantha Reps

Macey Tesmer