It has been a year of changes at the Kimball Police Department. Perhaps it all started about a year ago, when Officer Tom Decker left the department for a position with the Cold Spring Police Department. Shortly thereafter, a new full-time officer, John Lester, was hired. During the summer months, it may have seemed like things were quite stable at the Kimball PD – Todd Roloff was the Chief of Police; Jim Frilstad, the part-time officer, had been with the department for close to 15 years; and the new officer was working out fine. But as of January, all that changed. Roloff left the department to take a position with the Glencoe Police Department and Officer Frilstad became Chief Frilstad. And at their March 5 meeting, the Kimball City Council approved the hiring of an additional part-time officer – Chris Langness, a Stearns County deputy sheriff, is soon to be the new face in the Kimball Police Department. Sitting in the three-man office at the rear of the historic city hall building in downtown Kimball, Frilstad talked about the changes in the department and his love for the job. The city of Kimball, he said, has treated him well over the years. He loves the town and the people of Kimball, and enjoys every aspect of his job – except, he admits a bit sheepishly, for the paperwork. Speaking slowly and thoughtfully, Frilstad talked about the challenges that will be a part of his new job and expressed his gratitude that former chief Roloff has agreed to help him out, if necessary, during this transition period. Frilstad seemed pleased with the makeup of the department, now that a new part-time officer has been hired. Officer Langness, he said, will fit in well with the department. And, stated the chief, Officer Lester is a computer whiz, breezing through the many computerized reports that have to be sent on to the state. (“I just grew up with computers,” protested Officer Lester modestly, “so I’m more comfortable with them than the chief is.”) Both Frilstad and Lester are upbeat about their positions. Lester, who has worked at the Sherburne County Jail, Oakridge Regional Correctional Facility in Sauk Centre, and the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City, finds his job exciting. Even though Kimball is a small city with a very low crime rate, every day is different. When crime does surface in Kimball, it “seems to go in streaks,” said Officer Lester. “You’ll have bar problems, then domestics, and then something else” will come up. In the summer, drinking can be a problem, as there are many more parties – and, therefore, more likelihood that they may get out of hand. A typical week at the Kimball PD includes patrolling between Kimball and Fairhaven, doing traffic control at the schools (if possible) at the beginning and end of each school day, filing reports, and issuing tickets to traffic violators. Other issues are handled as they come up. If there is an ongoing “case,” such as the recent burglary at Maus Motors, the officers do what is necessary to work on that. In fact, all the officers have the same job responsibilities, although Chief Frilstad spends more time on administrative work. Operating mainly within the city of Kimball, the Kimball Police Department has a “mutual aid” agreement with Watkins and Eden Valley, and also contracts with Fairhaven 15 hours per week. Officers work with Stearns and Meeker counties, if the counties have a call that is close to Kimball. Unlike the competition between jurisdictions and officers shown on TV cop shows, Stearns and Meeker counties are “easy to work with,” said Chief Frilstad. Frilstad should know – he’s worked for various cities and counties over the years, including Eden Valley and Stearns County. His loyalty and affection lie with the city of Kimball, however. “It’s a decent city to work for,” said Frilstad. “I’ve got no complaints.”
