Faribault Police Chief Andy Bohlen introduced the six newest members of his department at Tuesday's City Council meeting in City Hall.

Mayor Kevin Voracek and Chief Bohlen remarked it was the largest crowd of visitors in the Council Chambers since before the COVID pandemic.

Chief Bohlen introduced each of the men giving some background information and pointed out some of the visitors on hand were fellow officers from other communities where they worked previously.

Chief Bohlen said, "The strange thing is with the weird year of COVID some of these guys have been here almost two years.  COVID kind of stopped swearing-ins, it stopped these gatherings, it stopped the badge pinnings.  But I wanted to introduce these folks to the Council."

Brad Arens graduated from Wabasha-Kellogg High School then attended law enforcement school at Rochester Community and Technical College where he received his two year degree in law enforcement.  He began working security at Treasure Island Resort and Casino in 2013 with Prairie Island Police Department which patrols the Prairie Island Indian Community Reservation and Treasure Island Casino as a police officer.  He worked for the Prairie Island Police Department for 6 1/2 years before he joined the Faribault Police Department December 2019.  He and wife Andrea have two children, Thomas and Kenzie and have been married for 12 years.

Lance Ulrich graduated from Owatonna High School then joined the Minnesota National Guard after graduation.  "We knew Lance before he became a cop because he was one of our Explorers in Faribault," Chief Bohlen commented.  While in the Army he was in the infantry and enjoyed deployments to Kenya and Somalia.  He received his Bachelors Degree in Science and Law Enforcement at Minnesota State University and prior to joining FPD was a Security Officer for Allina Hospitals.

Reed Bartsch joined FPD in July 2020.  He's a native of Kenyon where he graduated from Kenyon-Wanamingo High School then attended RCTC and Winona State University where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corpos Reserves.  Chief Bohlen commented, "Officer Bartsch is extremely proactive in DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and will be recognized in two weeks for the TZD (Toward Zero Deaths) kickoff for over 50 DUI arrests in a year. Making our streets safer."

Jacob Charlton was born and raised in Rochester, Mn. loves the outdoors, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking and traveling with his wife Lindsay.  Chief Bohlen stated, "He's also become very proactive in drug arrests, DUI and traffic enforcement arrests."

Brandon McCarthy graduated from Burnsville High School then went to Inver Hills Community College and Hennepin Technical College for police skills.  He worked security for 7 1/2 years at the Mall of America then worked in the trades as a journeyman before joining the Faribault Police Department.  He and wife Jen have a daughter Nora and boxer named Brewster.

Tyler Wilson was raised in Austin, Mn. and has always had an interest in law enforcement.  Started at age 14 in the Austin explorers program.  He volunteered to work for a rural ambulance service before accepting a job an EMS job in the metro area.  After finishing law enforcement school he was hired with the Albert Lea Police Department then transitioned to the Mower County Sheriff's Department where he worked the past four years.  "Tyler was looking for a change with a busier department and he found Faribault P.D. where he has an opportunity for career growth."  He's been with Faribault PD since June of this year.  Tyler enjoys traveling with his girlfriend Megan and even flies his own single engine airplane.  He volunteers for the Blooming Prairie Ambulance where he currently lives.

Chief Bohlen concluded, "We're really proud of our agency and we've got good people.  I'm very proud of these young men and thanks to the City Council."

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