Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Megan Larson, 612-919-5918
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt Announces Agency Restructuring and Command Staff Changes
June 27, 2024 (Minneapolis) – Today, Sheriff Dawanna Witt announced changes to the structure of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and her command staff. The changes include the appointment and promotion of four members of her office into new leadership positions as well as adding a Detention Services Bureau to help with the growing demand of the Hennepin County Jail.
Effective July 14th, the HCSO will see new leadership in three areas: the Public Affairs Bureau, the newly titled Court and Field Services Bureau, and the brand-new Detention Services Bureau. Additionally, the Sheriff has appointed Acting Chief Deputy Pat Enderlein as the new Chief Deputy.
Previously, HCSO has been comprised of five bureaus, representing each of the agency’s core functions. Those included the Public Safety Services Bureau, Investigations Bureau, Administrative Services Bureau, Public Affairs Bureau, and the Adult Detention and Court Services Bureau. With this new addition, the former Adult Detention and Court Services Bureau is being split in two: The Detention Services Bureau and the Court and Field Services Bureau.
The new Detention Services Bureau will be concerned solely with the operation of the Hennepin County Jail, which will remain the largest bureau of the agency. By separating the jail into its own bureau, Sheriff Witt aims to give better oversight and support to jail operations and administration as well as to the care of those in the custody of the jail. The Detention Services Bureau will be overseen by Jail Administrator Troy Otto. Jail Administrator Otto began his career as a detention deputy in 1999 and has worked in all areas of the jail, including 10 years as part of the jail’s administrative team. He most recently served as a Detention Captain, overseeing jail administration.
The newly titled Court and Field Services Bureau will include the Court Services Division, and assumes the Civil Unit, Transport Unit, and Extraditions Unit from the Public Safety Services Division. The Court and Field Services Division will be overseen by Major Mike Jerde. Major Jerde joined HCSO in 1996 as a detention deputy and has served in many units across the agency and has served as captain of the Enforcement Services Division since January 2023.
The Public Affairs Bureau will be overseen by Major Kristen Tomlinson. This bureau was created in 2023 and includes the Community Outreach and Public Affairs Division, Data and Technology Division, Tri-Wellness and Retention Unit, and Communications Unit. Major Tomlinson has been with HCSO since 1999 and has served in several units, with her most recent assignment being the captain of the Community Outreach and Public Affairs Division since 2022.
In addition to these changes, three members of the Sheriff Witt’s Command Staff are staying in their current positions: Major Dan Kurtz (Administrative Services Bureau), Major Shane Magnuson (Public Safety Services Bureau), and Major Rick Palaia (Investigations Bureau).
Chief Deputy Pat Enderlein was named as Acting Chief Deputy, effective May 5. He will be assuming the role permanently on September 1, 2024. He previously held the role of Major for the Public Affairs Bureau. Chief Deputy Enderlein joined the HCSO in January 2023 and has over 24 years of experience, including a variety of senior leadership roles.
“Chief Deputy Enderlein, Jail Administrator Otto, Major Jerde, and Major Tomlinson bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new positions within the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and our community will surely benefit from their leadership,” said Sheriff Dawanna Witt. “Additionally, the new Detention Services Bureau will allow our office to prioritize and refine our largest division, the jail, as we are committed to offering the highest-quality care and resources to the people under our supervision.”
Along with these promotions, Sheriff Witt announced the retirement of two senior leaders, Chief Deputy Tracey Martin and Major Mary Jerde, who served a combined 50 years at the HCSO. Major Jerde will be retiring on July 31 and Chief Deputy Martin on August 31.
“Chief Deputy Martin and Major Jerde have earned their retirements having dedicated decades to serving this community,” said Sheriff Witt. “They’ve been exemplary leaders and trailblazers over the course of their careers and while bittersweet for me, this is well-deserved. We wish them the best of luck!”
For more information, visit HennepinSheriff.org.
– HCSO–
Look for more news on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website at hennepinsheriff.org.
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