Recognizing Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes

Floor Speech

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Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public servant, Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes. Chief Hughes is retiring this March after more than 32 years of service to the Sartell community.

Chief Hughes began his career as a patrol officer in Kasson, Minnesota, and later served as the interim Chief of Police for the City of Claremont, Minnesota. He began his career in Sartell in 1991, holding key positions in nearly every area of the department. Chief Hughes served as a field training officer, a sergeant, and a lieutenant before being appointed chief in 2004. He also currently serves as the Chair of the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force and Chair of the State of Minnesota Violent Crime Coordinating Council.

After more than 30 years in Sartell, Jim has seen the city grow from a few thousand to nearly 20,000 residents. This increase has resulted in both a shift in the needs of the community and the responsibilities of the department, which Chief Hughes has handled masterfully.

In his resignation letter, Chief Hughes described the importance of connecting with and being engaged in the community. ``My favorite part of being with the Sartell Police Department is that we've remained committed to our community via outreach programs and the interaction we have with residents on a daily basis,'' he said. Clearly, Chief Hughes understood what it meant to not only protect his community but truly serve them.

I thank Chief Hughes for the incredible impact he has had on the Sartell Police Department and the community of Sartell at large. Congratulations, and we hope he enjoys his well-deserved retirement.

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