Zumbrota police union announces 'mutually beneficial' negotiations with city

Oct. 18—ZUMBROTA, Minn. — The local police union in Zumbrota has confirmed that the city has had "mutually beneficial negotiations" with the union to address staffing and pay issues.

In a Facebook post made late Wednesday afternoon, the union stated, "The City is confident in their negotiations that the terms requested by Local 425 are reasonable for maintaining Zumbrota Police Department services in the community."

Earlier Wednesday, Zumbrota Police Chief Patrick Callahan told the Post Bulletin he believed the city would not be presenting financial numbers and terms to have the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office take over as the main law enforcement agency in Zumbrota, a town of 3,700 people located on U.S. Highway 52 in Goodhue County.

Callahan said

the department's ability to cover all its patrol shifts came in jeopardy when one sergeant and one patrol officer resigned to take jobs with the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office.

Those resignations would reduce the police force from its seven members — including the chief — to just five licensed peace officers on staff.

Callahan said since it became public the city was looking into the option of disbanding the police department and contracting with the county for patrol coverage — a move that was made necessary in the

neighboring city of Goodhue a few months ago after that police department's staff resigned

— the city has faced an outpouring of support for his department.

In its Facebook post, The Zumbrota Police Officers and Sergeants Local 425 said it was disheartened to hear that public support had included threats and personal attacks were being directed by the public toward the mayor and city staff.

"These attacks do not support the values of our Members and do nothing to further the discussion," the post read.

An agenda item discussing the status of the police department is on the agenda for the 6 p.m. Zumbrota City Council meeting set for Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.