by Dennis Dalman
Brandon Silgjord, Sartell’s new police chief, was sworn in at the June 26 city council meeting.
Silgjord (pronounced Sil-yord) is the successor to former police chief Jim Hughes, who resigned effective March 31 to retire, after serving on the department for 32 years.
As family and well-wishers looked on, Silgjord took his oath of office, which was administered by Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum, after which the audience burst into applause.
Silgjord’s wife, Lacey, and their two young children (a girl and boy) then rushed up to give him a hug as council members congratulated him.
Silgjord then spoke to the audience and council. His new job, he said, is an awesome responsibility, but said he is honored to take on the role. He praised deputy chief Wayne Schreiner, whom he said has been awesome in filling him in on the responsibilities of the chief’s job and making his transition a very smooth one. He also praised the city staff and council for their support.
Silgjord noted he was honored to be able to ride in the lead of the recent Sartell SummerFest parade and was so impressed by the people along the parade route. When he saw all those people, he realized the magnitude of his responsibility to serve those people.
Silgjord started his career in law enforcement in 2006 with the Pequot Lakes Police Department and Morrison County Sheriff’s Office.
Since 2009 he has worked for the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, in northeast Minnesota. He spent his first six years in the Duluth Patrol Division as a deputy sheriff, serving in a number of roles, including K-9 (dog assistant) handler, operator of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) as a field-training officer.
Silgjord was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2015 out of the Duluth District of Operations. He continued handling a dual-purpose German shepherd (a K-9 named Kilo) through 2018. While holding the rank of sergeant, he completed assignments as a field training officer supervisor, SWAT sniper, academy lead patrol-tactics instructor and did oversight of St. Louis County’s Water Patrol grants and enforcement efforts.
In 2020, he was promoted to the role of supervising deputy commander, overseeing law-enforcement operations in the Hibbing District of St. Louis County. In 2021, he transferred to Duluth and took command of 911 communications and emergency management operations for the sheriff’s office where he is still assigned at this time.
Silgjord earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Central Lakes College and a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Metropolitan State University, where he graduated with highest honors (summa cum laude). He is also a 2019 graduate of the National Command and Staff College, earning a leadership award for command and staff leadership, Class of 2003.
Sartell now has a new police chief, Brandon Silgjord (center), who was sworn in at the June 26 city council meeting. Congratulating Silgjord after the swearing-in ceremony at Sartell City Hall were (left to right) council members Jed Meyer, Alex Lewandowski, Mayor Ryan Fitzhum, Jill Smith and Tim Elness.
