Chief Jason Cotner, Redwood Falls Police Department
“Who you gonna call?” If you are at least 25 years old you should know when that question is asked social convention dictates everyone in the room yell, “Ghostbusters!” But who do you call when you need police services and not paranormal elimination? The answer likely depends on where the crime happened rather than where you are at the time you make the call.
First, a little background. Per Minnesota Statute 412.221, subdivision 32, a city can establish a police department for the purpose of providing police services such as patrol, investigation, arrests and enforcement of state statute or local ordinances in the jurisdictional boundaries of that city. Likewise, county government has a sheriff’s departments for providing police service within the jurisdictional boundaries of the county. State statutes also authorize agencies such as the Metro Transit Police, Minnesota State Patrol, and Department of Natural Resources to name just a few. These agencies are then responsible for crimes and law enforcement services within their respective jurisdictions.