The Winnebago City Council called a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m., to discuss the implications of Winnebago police chief Eric Olson’s resignation from the police department.

Olson submitted his letter of resignation on Sept. 6, informing city staff that his last day as police chief will be Wednesday, Sept. 20. Following his resignation, he will be serving as a deputy for the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department.

“I would like to thank the city of Winnebago and the community for having me serve as your police chief for the last nine years,” Olson wrote. “It has been an honor to do so.” 

Olson’s resignation comes on the heels of a challenging year for the Winnebago Police Department. Olson has been the department’s sole full-time officer going on eight months now, and the department has been understaffed for about a year.

For the past eight months, Olson’s hours have been supplemented by part-time officers – he estimates the city currently has four active part-timers - and coverage by the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office.

Following Olson’s resignation, Winnebago will continue to receive police coverage in a similar fashion until more staff is hired.

At previous council meetings, the City Council discussed whether the officer shortage should be addressed by contracting with the Blue Earth Police Department for law enforcement coverage or by raising the police department’s wages to attract more applicants.

After hosting several well-attended special meetings, the council determined that Winnebago residents do not want to lose their police department, even if it means raising officers’ wages.

On Sept. 12, after approving Olson’s resignation, the council assured the public that recent developments have not altered their decision to maintain Winnebago’s police department.

“The last meeting we had here, the overwhelming opinion was to keep our department in tact,” mayor Scott Robertson said. “It’s my intent to keep this department as it was, with a new chief.”

 As such, the council discussed the city’s imminent need for a Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) following Olson’s resignation on Sept. 20.

State Statute requires every law enforcement agency to have a designated CLEO. The Winnebago Police Department would not be able to function - or hire new candidates for the vacant chief and full-time officer positions – without a CLEO.

Olson has offered to serve as Winnebago’s interim chief of police until the city hires a new CLEO. Olson would primarily perform administrative duties for the department such as background checks for prospective candidates and other paperwork involved with the hiring process.

The City Council voted to retain Olson as the police department’s CLEO until a new police chief is hired.

Olson had good news for the council on that front.

“Since I submitted my resignation, my phone has been ringing about the police chief job,” he said. “I know you’re going to have interest.” 

Olson added there are also some prospective full-time officer candidates in various stages of the application process. One candidate is already undergoing a background check.

To ensure the CLEO position is filled quickly, Olson immediately posted the vacant position on the Minnesota POST Board website following the meeting.

During the regular City Council meeting, the council directed Olson to post the position with a $33.25 to $36.50 hourly pay scale, with pay depending on the applicant’s experience.

At the end of the meeting, the council thanked Olson for his near-decade of service to Winnebago.

“You did a good job with our police department, and I appreciate everything you did,” council member Paul Eisenmenger said. “I think you had Winnebago in your best interest.” 

The council also encouraged the public to contact City Hall directly with any questions or concerns about matters discussed in meetings.

“If you have any questions, and want the truth, call City Hall,” council member Jean Anderson suggested.

“Social media is not the place to gather information,” Eisenmenger added.

In other business, the Winnebago City Council: 

• Approved Olson’s request to retire K9 Officer Jack.

“With my resignation and the fact that Jack can no longer perform narcotics searches, I would like to retire him and purchase him from the city,” Olson said.

The council agreed to sell Jack to Olson for $1, along with his toys, leash and three kennels.

• Approved the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office’s request to purchase Olson’s bulletproof vest from the city for $697.50.

• Approved the resignation of part-time police officer Chase Davis.