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Sheriff's
Posse
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The
Posse originated on October 14, 1968, when a
group of volunteers on horseback helped to locate
a lost child in the rugged terrain northwest
of Parkers Prairie.
 Within the month, sixteen charter members of
the Posse attended their first organizational
meeting in the Otter Tail Power Company's Community
Room. At that meeting there were twenty-five
applicants for membership.
Hank Christopherson was elected the first President
with the rank of Captain of the Posse; Don Eisenhuth
was chosen as the Treasurer with the rank of
Lieutenant; Jim Molter, Vice President as a
Sergeant; and Vincent Stavaas, Secretary, also
with the rank of Sergeant.
The first draft of the Posse's Bylaws was written
and dated October 22, 1968, but it was not adopted
until 1975 when the final version was written.
The Posse's Constitution and Bylaws are reproduced
and available for review from current Posse
Officers.
In 1969 the twenty-five member Posse passed
and received their first certification of the
Red Cross Multi-Media First Aid Program. First
aid certification is still a requirement of
membership existing within the Posse today and
each member is required to pass recertification
every three years.
In 1969 the Posse attended the first Minnesota
State Posse Convention held at LeCenter and
hosted by the LeSuere County Posse. There were
177 Posse members from throughout the State
attending. Of the 87 Counties in the State,
the greatest concentration of membership of
mounted Posses was in the southern portion.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Posse has assisted
at the Otter Tail County Fair and the Dalton
Threshermen's Reunion. The Posse has also worked
in water safety patrol, helping in the search
for drowning victims, and has handled the policing,
safety, security, and general crowd and traffic
control at events where large numbers of people
might gather.
The Posse has also been called upon to help
locate missing persons and to round up stray
cattle. It has also appeared in numerous parades
throughout the County.
Today's Posse consists of 24 active members
and 3 senior members. Posse members are recognized
as unpaid volunteers who work under the direct
supervision of the Sheriff or one of his representatives.
Although the original intent for use of the
Posse was to utilize a horse-mounted unit to
assist in locating lost persons and crowd and
traffic control, the service has grown to incorporate
the use of foot patrol and motorized units in
other policing and security involvements.
Posse members may be deployed night or day in
times of manpower shortage, civil emergency
or disaster situations to perform certain tasks.
While these tasks may seem simple or routine,
they are nevertheless vital at the time and
more than likely uncomfortable and not under
the best circumstances. Posse members also provide
scheduled event traffic direction, parking control
and security services, as well as horse, foot,
and ATV search and rescue options to all areas
of Otter Tail County.
In order for Posse members to learn and acquire
certain skills, they are expected to attend
monthly meetings held the second Tuesday of
each month. At these meetings, members normally
receive training on a variety of topics including;
Search and Rescue, CPR, First Aid, Self Defense,
Traffic Direction, Map and Compass Reading,
and Radio Procedures. Members are also expected
to sign up for shifts at each of several annual
area events such as Phelps Mill Art Festival,
West Otter Tail and East Otter Tail County Fairs,
and the Dalton Threshermen's Reunion. It is
also expected that members will volunteer for
shifts at occasional parades or other events
that have been pre-approved by the Sheriff's
Office.
The Sheriff's Posse gives individuals an opportunity
to provide a valuable service to their community.
If you are interested in joining the Sheriff's
Posse, you must be a resident of Otter Tail
County, at least 21 years of age, and capable
of performing tasks normal to non-hazardous
law enforcement duties. For more information,
please contact the Sheriff's Office during normal
business hours (8am - 4:30pm)
at (218) 998-8555. |
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©Copyright 2001- County of Otter Tail, Minnesota. U.S.A.
All Rights Reserved.
This web site is maintained by the Otter
Tail County GIS Office.
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