PEQUOT LAKES — The Pequot Lakes Police Department gained an officer, and then lost yet another, the city council learned at its regular meeting Monday, May 1.
The city is now looking to hire two officers.
Chris Mellin is the city’s newest full-time officer. He began work April 17.
Officer Sheri Fyle, who has served as the school resource officer, resigned her position effective May 1 after working for the city since 2015. She will continue as a part-time officer for the city.
Fyle was recognized for starting a program called Third Party Compliment at the school where students and teachers could turn in anonymous notes praising others for giving back.
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Sgt. Ryan Franz will be the school resource officer for the rest of the school year.
Fyle’s resignation comes shortly after the council terminated longtime officer Kate Petersen.
Mayor Tyler Gardner read a summary of conclusions from Petersen’s performance evaluation at Monday’s meeting.
In summary, the council met in a closed session for about a half hour after its regular meeting April 3 for Petersen’s performance evaluation.
As required by the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, the council summarized its conclusions at its next open meeting, which was Monday.
“The city council concluded that Kate Petersen was unable to perform all essential functions of patrol officer,” Gardner said.
The city council voted 4-0 April 3 with council member Cheri Seils absent to remove Petersen from employment with the city effective April 4 for nondisciplinary reasons as specified in City Administrator Rich Spiczka’s letter to her on March 30.
Petersen was a Pequot Lakes police officer for nearly 17 years.
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The department will look to replace Fyle’s position. Police Chief Mike Davis said other area cities and Crow Wing County are all having a hard time hiring officers and hope the next pool of law enforcement graduates will produce quality candidates.
Council member Scott Pederson suggested meeting to talk about how to make the city’s police department more attractive, whether that be through higher pay or other incentives.
Police had 272 calls in March. The council agreed to pay $7,722 to buy six new rifles for officers.
The Pequot Lakes Fire District had 12 calls in March and nine hours of training and equipment maintenance.
Nancy Vogt, editor, may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com . Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
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