Starting August 1, the city of Moose Lake, MN will be policed exclusively by the Carlton County Sheriff’s office.

This comes after the Moose Lake city council voted to disband it’s police department earlier this year, citing budget issues.

The new contract – which runs through 2026 – will go to fund wages and equipment for four deputies to cover the city of Moose Lake.

The police department in Moose Lake has been reduced to just one officer, in addition to extra patrols and assistance from the Carlton Sheriff’s office.

That one officer will be replaced beginning August 1 by a Carlton deputy as the Sheriff’s office works to hire and train the four deputies called for in the contract. Lieutenant Doug Rotta of the Carlton Sheriff’s office says that residents of Moose Lake shouldn’t expect any difference in law enforcement services.

“Outside of a different colored card and deputies in a brown uniform versus a blue one, the services will remain the same.” Lt. Rotta said.

Rotta went on to explain that, while some in Moose Lake may be concerned about losing their local police department, the Sheriff’s office has always had a community presence.  

“We’ve always been their Sheriff’s Office, working hand-in-hand with their police department. And now that our deputies are going to be dedicated down there, they’re still their deputies. And just want the citizens to know that we’re their Sheriff’s Office. It’s their deputies that will continue to work down there and be dedicated to serve them down there.”

The Carlton Sheriff’s office currently has 22 licensed deputies.