Zumbrota Set to Discuss Possibly Disbanding Police Department

Zumbrota, MN (KROC-AM News)- Another community in Goodhue County could soon be without a police department. 

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Earlier this year the City of Goodhue lost its police force after the city’s officers resigned at the same time.

The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office assumed law enforcement duties in the community in August. 

On Thursday the Zumbrota City Council will hold a discussion on their police department. A statement released by Zumbrota Police Officers and Sergeants Local 425 says city leaders informed them on Friday that the city requested information in August regarding contracting local law enforcement services with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office. 

The item on the Zumbrota City Council’s agenda says:

We will be sharing information about policing during this meeting, we will also ask council to schedule a public meeting on the topic for Monday October 30th at 6:00pm. We understand that many want to have the opportunity to comment on the Zumbrota Police Department, we ask that you please hold comments until the dedicated public meeting.

The joint statement from the union and officers says in part: 

2023 has been a trying year for the dedicated men and women of the Zumbrota Police Officers and Sergeants Local 425. After the unexpected death of retired Officer Gary Schroeder in April, the last thing that our membership expected to hear was that their positions may be eliminated. We take great pride in providing a high level of public service as community caretakers for Zumbrota’s residents, businesses and to those who come to visit our beautiful city every day.

The union is encouraging residents who support keeping the city’s police force to respectfully share their opinion with city leaders by phone and email. 

The city’s website indicates the Zumbrota Police Department is made up of a chief, two sergeants and four patrol officers. As of 2021 the population of Zumbrota is measured at 3,796 people.