I'm responding to a letter printed in the West Central Tribune by former Meeker County employee Keith Roediger.
I did some checking and found some interesting facts as it relates to the turnover and experience at the Meeker County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Mike Hirman has given many people a start in the profession through internships and by working part-time in various positions within his office. Some went on to other departments full-time, with some becoming supervisors and department heads. Many folks that have retired from the profession within his office have come back to work part-time, as well as many retired experienced people from other departments.
Three dispatchers with over 80 years of combined experience have come back to work for Hirman part-time, as well as three retired police officers and one retired BCA agent with over 100 years of combined experience. Several deputies from the Wright County Sheriff's Office have worked for Hirman part-time. One current full-time employee with 35 years of experience will be retiring next year and would like to return part-time. The current full-time staff has over 300 years of combined experience, with this experience ranging from less than one year to 35 years, not including the sheriff himself.
This tells me that Hirman has a well-balanced, experienced staff. This staff led by Sheriff Hirman addresses issues, solves crime and they are well liked and respected in the community. Sheriff Mike Hirman is a working sheriff and he's in great health.
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It is not unusual for people to move to different departments for various reasons or take different paths in life. The sheriff's opponent has worked at the Meeker County Sheriff's Office, Darwin Police Department, Dassel Police Department, Hutchinson Police Department and has recently retired on PERA and collecting benefits after leaving the Glencoe Police Department.
Like any organization, public or private, there are always a couple of bad apples that happen along the way. I wouldn't change a thing.
Jens Peterson
Litchfield
