The Crookston Police Department had two vacancies to fill on its force this summer. To fill it’s ranks, the police department hired two young officers with local ties.
Cody Bannert joins the Crookston Police Department by way of the military but grew up in northwest Minnesota. “I’m originally from Thief River Falls, was born in Roseau,” said Bannert. “I came over here the last month, two months ago now. I started July 27 I believe. I wrestled (in high school) and graduated in 2012. I joined the Marine Corps and got out in 2017, when I started going to college for law enforcement.”
Banner said law enforcement resembles the military, and he chose Crookston because it’s a more active area. “It closely resembles the military,” said Bannert. “I chose to do Crookston because I know they are a busier area. I was in Roseau beforehand. It was a good time over there, but I wanted to build up a little bit more experience faster.”
Bannert said he’s enjoying meeting people in Crookston. “You get to meet a bunch of different people,” said Bannert. “It seems like I haven’t met anybody that’s really been bad. There are a lot of good around here in Crookston, that’s for sure.”
Taylor Clark said he always knew he wanted to be a first responder. “I’m from Fertile,” said Clark. “I lived there pretty much all my life. My dad was on the Fertile Fire Department, so first responders were pretty much in my life. I wanted to be a first responder, whether firefighter, EMS, or police, and thought police was the best way to go. I went to UND for a little bit, ended up going to Northland and graduating there for skills. While I went there, I worked at the jail (NW Regional Corrections Center) for five years, so I really got that Crookston was a good place for me. I kind of got a rapport with a lot of people that got in trouble and felt like I could work with them pretty well. My roommate, Taylor (Znajda), who works here (with CPD), worked with me at the jail. And learning what he learned here, I thought Crookston was a pretty good place for me to start.”
Clark also talked about why he chose law enforcement over the other first responder positions. “Being the first one on the scene, driving fast,” said Clark. “I liked more of the criminal side to be honest. I did want to be a lawyer, but I thought that was a little bit too much schooling for me. But the police/criminal side just interested me a little bit more.”
Crookston Police Chief Paul Biermaier said the 12-week field training starts with new officers observing their field training officer and ends the new officers being observed as they handle all the calls. “They both started around August 1,” said Biermaier. “And our field training is about 12-weeks, give or take, depending on how they do. When I started 30 years ago, my field training was about one week. Then it was here’s the keys, go ahead. It is so different now and has changed so much. There is so much more in our cars too. So, 12 weeks of training to cover everything, and they go through a couple of phases. They start just watching, and by the end of the program, the Field Training Officer is in street clothes, and they’re in uniform, so everything is directed at him. He gets to make all the decisions, call the shots, that sort of stuff.”
When Bannert and Clark complete their field training, the Crookston PD will be back to a full staff of 16 officers, including the school resource officer. After completing their training, a small ceremony will be held, likely during a November City Council meeting welcoming them to the department.
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