New Officers Join Police Force

Two new police officers joined the last week, beating out 400 applicants for the jobs.

Officers Justin Stetson and Scott Zitsloff filled the positions recently vacated by Sgt. Phil Pesheck and Officer Christine Mack, both of whom retired.

The new officers were officially sworn in Thursday in front of their families, friends and members of the law enforcement community—as well as the most senior and junior officers out of the 56 members of the police force.

"We are very excited about the new additions, said Police Chief Mark Raquet. "Getting to this point for Justin and Scott and their famililes is a marathon—it's definitely not a sprint."

Stetson and Zitsloff went through three rounds of interviews, extensive background checks and psychological assessments to determine if they would fit well with the Minnetonka Police Department.

"To get to this point, I know they are proud, and I know their parents are proud," Raquet said. "It's quite an accomplishment, and hopefully it is something they will look back on and cherish for a long time."

City Manager John Gunyou told Stetson and Zitsloff that joining the force is not just another job. "There are a lot of different forms of public service," he said. "We hope you enter this with an attitude and outlook of service, rather than adventure. Because you really are in a service business."

Andover resident Stetson was previously employed as a park agent for the Minneapolis Park Police, while Maple Grove resident Zitsloff was employed as an assistant property manager for a family-owned business.