OLIVIA - A sheriff's deputy credited with reaching out and bonding with the communities he serves is the 2017 recipient of the Chris Domeier Community Policing Award in Renville County.
Colleagues and the family of Renville County Sheriff's Deputy Tom Swyter joined to congratulate him as the award was presented to him Tuesday at the County Board of Commissioners meeting in Olivia. Sheriff Scott Hable described Swyter as a "go to guy'' for his work in keeping communities safe.
The Chris Domeier award has been presented to a law enforcement officer in Renville County since 2011 in memory of Domeier, a sheriff's deputy who died at age 30 one year earlier.
Swyter joined the Renville County Sheriff's Office as a part-time deputy in 2009 and began full-time duty in 2011. He grew up north of Renville in Kandiyohi County. He graduated from Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg and obtained a degree in law enforcement from the Alexandria Technical College. He served with the Clara City Police Department.
His assignments with the Sheriff's Office include serving the communities of Bird Island and Sacred Heart, both of which contract for law enforcement services.
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Sheriff Hable credits Swyter with striking the right balance between assertive law enforcement and positive community interaction. He fosters trust between the community and Sheriff's Office, Hable said.
Swyter offers responsible beverage server training to restaurant and bar owners and bartenders on how to keep their customers safe.
He offered training to nearly 200 teachers and school administrators on how to respond to active shooter events.
He also offers firearm, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle training and education to youth in the county.
Swyter said he was appreciative for the support of his family and his co-workers, and for the resources needed to do his job. He said the credit belongs to all.
"It's not a one man show,'' said Swyter as he accepted the award.
