New Waite Park Police Chief to be Sworn In Monday

(KNSI) — The passing of the torch at the Waite Park Police Department will take place on Monday night.

Police Chief Anthony Reznicek will be sworn into his new role during the city council meeting. He has spent 18 years in law enforcement, including the last ten in Waite Park. The former sergeant has been promoted to replace Police Chief Dave Bentrud, who retired last month.

Reznicek has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and spent five years as a school resource officer and investigator with Waite Park. Before that, he was a police officer in East Grand Forks. The former sergeant is also a U.S. Army National Guard veteran and served two combat tours.

In an interview with KNSI News, after he was named chief, he said the biggest challenge for the department would be hiring a couple more officers, including another sergeant.

According to the consent agenda, the city is addressing those staffing issues. The resignation of another sergeant has created a promotional opportunity, and the department is requesting approval to begin filling the opening. The list of eligible candidates will be brought to the council at a future meeting for the final appointment of a second sergeant. There are funds in the 2023 budget to pay for three Sergeants, so there are no new funding requests.

The police department is also looking to hire four full-time officers. Waite Park has 16 officers with a budget of 22. One of the vacant posts is being held by a candidate currently in training, thanks to the Pathways to Policing Grant.

The city council will also propose officially recognizing Juneteenth as a day off for non-essential staff.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

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