By Rich Larson
Despite the swearing in of Officer Joshua Ortiz on Tuesday night during the Northfield City Council meeting, the Northfield Police Department remains short on officers as it works through ongoing hiring challenges that have affected law enforcement agencies across Minnesota and the country for several years.
Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer said the department recently opened another hiring round and is accepting applications through April 5. The posting is open to both licensed officers and students who are completing the training needed to become licensed this year.
Even as hiring conditions begin to improve, Schroepfer said the applicant pool still is not what it once was.
“It’s starting to come back a little bit, but we’re not back to what we were,” he said, adding that he does not expect hiring to fully return to earlier levels. He also said he is unwilling to lower expectations just to fill vacancies.
“I’m not willing to drop standards,” Schroepfer said. “I would rather go with open positions and rerun a hiring process to fill those with a higher-quality candidate.”
Schroepfer said the department is looking for officers who are strong communicators, compassionate and able to connect with people. In Northfield, he said, personality and community fit matter as much as technical knowledge.
The department’s hiring process begins with an interview panel made up of both licensed and civilian staff. Finalists then meet with the chief, whose interview focuses less on legal knowledge and more on whether a candidate’s personality fits the department, the city and the community.
Minnesota’s requirements also make the path to becoming an officer longer than in many other states. Candidates must complete at least a two-year degree, then finish skills-based training before taking the POST licensing exam. Once hired, new officers still go through months of field training within the department.
Schroepfer said Northfield is currently down two officers, with a third vacancy coming in May when Officer Steve Klostermeier retires after a lengthy career. He said retirements remain a major factor, with many officers across the profession now reaching retirement age or reconsidering their future after several difficult years in law enforcement.
Despite the strain, Schroepfer said the job remains rewarding, pointing to everyday community moments — including visits with elementary school students — as reminders of why the work matters.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
