On Monday night, April 2, the Blue Earth City Council voted 4-3 to go ahead and hire a fifth police officer. The split decision came just after the council was introduced to their newly hired fourth officer, Chad Bonin, who has started his patrolling duties recently.

Police Chief Tom Fletcher says he had a strong second candidate when he chose Bonin, and plans to make an offer to that officer, who has worked for the city already on a part time basis.