Bestul to remain as acting Brainerd police chief through 2021
After the top two candidates chosen to replace outgoing chief Corky McQuiston, the council agreed to have Deputy Chief Mike Bestul continue on as acting police chief through at least the end of the year. 8:42 pm, Jan. 19, 2021 ×
Brainerd Police Deputy Chief Mike Bestul talks to community members during a search for a missing man in Kiwanis Park in Brainerd in 2014. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Brainerd will not have a new police chief until next year.
Chief Deputy Mike Bestul who was appointed as acting chief Jan. 4 will remain in that post through at least the end of the year, the Brainerd City Council decided Monday, Jan. 19.
George Vinson has worked in several capacities for the Fargo Police Department over the past 17 years. 2:00 am, Dec. 22, 2020 ×
George Vinson
George Vinson, a lieutenant in the Fargo Police Department, is in line to become the next Brainerd police chief should he accept the job offer.
The Brainerd City Council voted Monday, Dec. 21, to offer Vinson the job of outgoing Chief Corky McQuiston, who is soon set to retire.
After the city’s civil service commission whittled the top seven candidates down to three, the council voted 5-2 to offer Vinson the job.
Dave Pritschet, Kelly Bevans, Tad Erickson, Jan Lambert and Gabe Johnson all cast their ballots for Vinson, while Kevin Stunek and Wayne Erickson voted for Brent Baloun, the police chief in Becker who was born and raised in Brainerd.
Brainerd names 3 finalists for police chief
George Vinson, Brent Baloun and Victor Siebeneck III are in the running to replace retiring Chief Corky McQuiston. 6:00 am, Dec. 16, 2020 ×
George Vinson (left), Brent Baloun and Victor Siebeneck III are the three finalists to become Brainerd s next police chief. They interviewed virtually with the city council and a community panel Thursday, Dec. 10. Theresa Bourke / Brainerd Dispatch
Three candidates from Becker, Fargo, North Dakota and Salt Lake City, Utah are in the final running to become Brainerd’s next police chief.
George Vinson, Brent Baloun and Victor Siebeneck III were the top picks coming out of the city’s civil service commission meeting Monday, Dec. 14.