Moose Lake readies for police change

Come Thursday, the city of Moose Lake will have officially adopted the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office as its law enforcement provider. Both the county board and Moose Lake city council approved a services agreement this week.

The contract begins Aug. 1 and runs through the end of 2026. It stipulates the county will supply four deputies and a part-time clerical administrator to the city located on the county’s southern border with Pine County.

They’ll be based out of the city’s former police headquarters in the city’s emergency response center along State Highway 27.

“Thank you for working as hard as you have on this,” county board chair Susan Zmyslony told Sheriff Kelly Lake during Monday’s meeting.

Lake credited “good staff” and a strong relationship with Moose Lake officials for getting the agreement done.

“They will be stationed down there and dedicated to the city of Moose Lake,” she said of the deputies. “I’m looking forward to getting it up and running at 100 percent and providing those services to the city and residents of Moose Lake.”

The adoption of the agreement is the culmination of a difficult period for the city of Moose Lake, which is losing its police department as a result of the new arrangement.

Moose Lake city administrator Ellissa Owens said the process of making the change required “a tremendous amount of assessment, attention, and reflection.”

The city council’s decision in February to save money by going with sheriff’s office coverage drew public outcry and even saw some of the city’s police officers resign in protest over the uncertainty of a debate that lasted a few months.

A divided city council ultimately decided to partner with Carlton County, a move expected to save roughly $250,000 annually compared to continuing to house a city-backed police force.

For sheriff’s office services, Moose Lake is paying $192,146 through the end of this year, $553,044 in 2025 and $637,073 in 2026. The 2025 figure includes a $57,000 credit for three squad cars the county will take over from the city, and some additional equipment such as stun guns.

“Although burdensome, this decision by the City County provides much needed financial relief and stability for the City,” Owens told the Pine Knot. “Both parties have worked tirelessly to establish a contract for services that meets the needs and expectations of the community.”

The county has one deputy ready to start next week and will add more as they’re hired, with the expectation of being fully staffed by the end of the year, according to previous comments from Lake.

The 2024 service costs from the city to the county will be prorated to reflect hires as they come on board.

Details of the contract were reviewed by County Attorney Lauri Ketola, and include:

• A dispute resolution clause that puts the Moose Lake city administrator as a liaison between the city and sheriff. “If the city has concerns about a particular investigation or performance of the assigned deputy or services being provided … the city administrator shall report the concerns, in writing, to the sheriff.” The sheriff would also respond in writing to “prevent misunderstandings and misinformation,” the contract says.

• The sheriff or a designee will attend city council meetings as requested by the city.

• The contract is subject to review and renegotiation six months after it starts should either party submit 90 days written notice to the other party.

• Deputies will provide patrol, enforcement of state statutes and city ordinances, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation and crime scene processing, follow-up with victims and complainants, and tobacco, liquor and cannabis license enforcement.

• A deputy will also attend city council for security purposes when requested.

• Community oriented policing” will be reflected in regular check-ins with school officials, local businesses and high-profile community events.

• The county will provide fingerprinting services for the community and background checks for the city.

• County squad vehicles will be amended to include a graphic that reads, “Serving the City of Moose Lake.”