Newest Polk County Deputy Explains Training Phases; Deputy Haugen Elaborates on Delayed Arrival of New Vehicles

By: Mary Balstad marybalstad@rjbroadcasting.com

Polk County, MN – The Polk County Sheriff’s office has welcomed its newest deputy. Wyatt Buechene from Fertile started working with the Polk County Sheriff’s office in July of 2021. Starting as a transport deputy with the office, Beuchene is now in the PTO phase. Jesse Haugen explains this phase of training and how it will benefit new deputies like Buechene.

The educational background to become a deputy in Minnesota is two years at an accredited college or university for those who do not have a degree. Completion of the board-approved Professional Peace Office Education program is required for those with or without a postsecondary degree. Jesse Haugen then shared about the fleet of vehicles used by the Polk County law enforcement that deputies like Buechene will get to use.

As Polk County Commissioner Joan Lee stated in her monthly update, the new RAM pickups for the sheriff’s department have not arrived. Due to the supply chain problems caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the domino effect of delivery worker shortages, severe price hikes and overseas shipping or importing for raw materials has caused the trucks to not arrive for another two to three months. The Polk County Sheriff’s update is on ‘Food for Thought’ every first and second Thursday of the month at 8:45 A.M. on KKCQ Radio 96.7.