East Grand Forks has a new police chief in the form of Lt. Mike Hedlund, a veteran of the Grand Forks Police Department.
Mayor Lynn Stauss said he picked the lieutenant over three other finalists primarily for his ability to apply for grants and for his experience with budgeting.
Hedlund will start his new job June 9.
Somewhat unusually, the mayor asked Polk County Sheriff Mark LeTexier and Hedlund's current boss, Chief John Packett, to sit in on the interview.
An East Side chief has to be able to work with the county and the city as a team, Stauss said.
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The City Council approved the mayor's hire at its meeting Tuesday, authorizing annual pay of $73,000 for the new chief.
Hedlund has been with Grand Forks police for more than 22 years. He currently serves as the head of the human resources bureau, responsible for training.
East Grand Forks police Chief Mike Lealos has retired.
