Sheriff Looking to Hire More Black, Indigenous and People of Color

(KNSI) – Stearns County is pushing to hire more black, indigenous and people of color to work in the sheriff’s office.

Stearns County Human Resources Equity and Inclusion Partner Cortez Riley told KNSI News this is a first-of-its-kind event for the department. “We essentially want to hire more BIPOC people because we want candidates who reflect the population and communities that our sheriff’s departments serve. We’re especially looking for people to work in the Stearns County Jail.”

Stearns County houses nearly 40 inmates in nearby counties because they don’t have the staff to supervise them in-house. Some positions, such as patrol officers, have requirements to go to school. The sheriff’s office is also looking to fill administrative positions.

The county will have an in-depth conversation with those in attendance about working for the sheriff’s office and follow up with those people later. “I just believe that this is such a great thing, overall, for the St. Cloud community and Stearns County. And we’re just super excited to get this information out there,” said Riley.

The event is Saturday, March 18th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud. Stearns County is planning to hold similar events in the future.

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