Sheriff Lake, County Attorney Ketola lead together

When County Coordinator Dennis Genereau asserted that Carlton County Sheriff Kelly Lake and Carlton County Attorney Lauri Ketola made state history, he was almost right.

The two may be the first women in northern Minnesota to lead county law enforcement together. However, they follow a southern Minnesota duo -- Sheriff Terese Amazi and County Attorney Kristen Nelson -- in terms of making state history.

"I hadn't given it much thought," Sheriff Kelly Lake noted about the idea of all-female leadership. "I am just happy that I know I can work well with our county attorney. We lead by example. I look at my 9-year-old daughter and see a person that can open any door and become whatever role in life she desires. That gives me great satisfaction."

Ketola has been on the job since only the beginning of January, but said she has been pleasantly surprised to be able to work with so many quality people.

"Working hand-in-hand with Sheriff Lake will go smoothly, I believe, to strengthen our law enforcement for a safe area to work and raise families," Ketola said. "Our citizens deserve that."

The interview with Lake and Ketola was far-ranging and the following observations by both women speak well for these county officials.

Lake said she started as a deputy in 1989, only the third woman to be a deputy in Carlton County up to that point, and became sheriff in 2005.

In the sheriff's office there are 55 full-time staff members, 56 including the sheriff. The staff covers many services, including ATV, boat and water patrol, criminal investigation; special enforcement; court security and transport; emergency management and more. Part-time civilian bailiffs work court proceedings. Supervision is provided for 25-30 volunteers that serve in the Sheriff's Posse and as sheriff's office chaplains.

Patrols, investigations and special enforcement are still male-dominated in Carlton County. Of the 24 licensed staff, only two deputies and the sheriff are women. The jail requires that both a male and female be on duty for the same coverage period. Four of the dispatchers are female.

The sheriff's office has an annual budget of approximately $6,285,000 for 2019, with about $750,000 in revenues to offset those expenditures.

"The needs in law enforcement have changed," Lake explained. "Jails have become de facto intervention sites for the mentally ill and chemically dependent. We cannot cover treatment for those incarcerated. Rather than just holding people we are trying to be proactive. We are now partnering with Public Health, the Human Development Center, the Assertive Community Treatment team, and the Birch Tree, which provides a mobile treatment team that comes to the jail site."

Ketola is no stranger to the county attorney's office. She served as an assistant county attorney until 1998.

But now she's on the hook for more than court cases.

The Carlton County attorney's office operates with just over $1 million for the 2019 budget year. Of the five assistant county attorneys, three are male and two are female. One witness protection coordinator and four administrative staff are all female.

"It is too early to say how I will optimize the talent I have in my staff," Ketola said. "I do know that we need a new software program to not only access data easily but provide a bridge to share information easily with the sheriff's department. It will take time. I am not a stranger to a 12-hour workday. I need to know what's going on and encourage transparency and trust to get the job done well."

The sheriff responded to the question of what the building plans for a jail are.

"All options are on the table," she said. "I am waiting for the county board to decide how large a jail will be built and how to pay for it. I know that the judges of the Sixth Judicial District have wanted three courtrooms at the courthouse. Remodeling is just part of the cost. Full-time security for the building is needed, but requires more staff to do the job."

Both the sheriff and the county attorney agreed that more bench time (available judges and courtrooms) is needed for the type of cases and crimes that are being handled with the current legal staff.

"Moving cases along in the court system more quickly will save on jail costs and in fact bring about more positive outcomes," Ketola said.

"My office strives for a partnership between us in law enforcement and the community," explained Sheriff Lake. "TRIAD has created a strong relationship with senior citizens. A fair booth at the Carlton County fair provides one-on-one time with county residents. Numerous presentations throughout the community over the years and being available to speak at local gatherings strengthens that partnership."

Ketola added, "We also are citizens of this community. Success of the programs the sheriff and I oversee affects all our families. I loved to talk to and listen to each person I met on the campaign and at the county fair. I will work to continue an open dialogue with the citizens."

Editor's note: This story was corrected after it was published in print, when it asserted the two women leaders were the first in the entire state to lead county law enforcement together.