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| Emily Police Chief RetiresLast Monday in a closed session, the Emily City Council accepted police chief John Reed’s retirement and named Lt. Bill Bernhjelm as interim chief until a replacement is found. As chief since May of 2004, Reed was instrumental in forming the department under former mayor Bonnie Kile. Chief Reed was a frequent sight in Emily; often with his K-9 partner Na Tvshka at his side in the patrol car. Reed said there were five allegations brought forth by the council but added, “They were unsubstantiated. I’ve been around a long time. I retired because I couldn’t put up with small town politics and micromanagement.” Reed stated that the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney told him they would investigate him if something was brought forward, but according to Reed, they were never contacted. Reed said he wanted to address the allegations about his service with the council, “But the city attorney told me and my lawyer that they were going to get rid of me no matter what.” “I am an old time police officer and enjoyed working with, and making a positive impact on the community,” said Reed. “I left because the council didn’t want me. I would come back if conditions change, because I know the people do want me.” The Emily City Clerk said the City had issued a statement last week, saying that the council had accepted chief Reed’s retirement and named Bill Bernhjelm as interim chief. Reed was formerly the Director of Public Safety for the city, in charge of the Emily First Responders and has been a police officer for a total of 39 years, starting at the age of 21. His police duty includes working for the Hennepin County Minnesota Sheriff's Office from 1969 to 1999 as a CSI and Detective; he was also the liaison officer for the Crosby-Ironton School district. In addition to his duties as a police officer, Reed is an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church, serving in Deerwood and Crosby at St. Joseph’s. Bernhjelm, a former chief of police in Edina, served in that position for six years, and a total of 27 years in the Edina police department. He spent approximately five years with the Chicago police department and for three and a half years, was the DNR Enforcement Director and Chief Conservation Officer. He is currently a member of Outing Quick Response, the Emily First responders as well as a member of the Remer Area Ambulance Service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northland Press | P.O. Box 145 | Outing, MN 56662 | (218) 692-5842 Email: news@northlandpress.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
