Moose Lake loses police officers

Interim police chief Chad Pattison was granted special authority in Moose Lake after the three-member department saw the resignation of two of its officers last month.

Both officers resigned in the wake of a public hearing last month to determine if the city council would either maintain a force or disband the department and contract with the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office for the city’s law enforcement coverage.

The board will vote on the matter during its meeting at 4 p.m. Feb. 14.

In the meantime, city administrator Ellissa Owens explained that Pattison has been granted “scheduling authority to modify his scheduled hours to prioritize hours that are historically plagued by higher call volumes.”

In addition, the city is utilizing part-time police officer coverage from professionals of neighboring law enforcement agencies to attempt to supplement coverage of open shifts, she said.

During a public hearing in January, roughly 100 community members showed up, largely in support of maintaining a police department.

The police department is scheduled to take up nearly 80 percent of the city’s $1.03 million levy, while a contract with the Sheriff’s Office would cost substantially less.