Stadum takes reins of Pelican Rapids PD

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, April 17, 2008

Jeff Stadum, the new police chief in Pelican Rapids following the retirement of Scott Fox, feels comfortable in heading the eight-person department in the community where he graduated from high school in 1979.

“I’m fortunate to have four other full-time officers and three part-time officers on the force,” Stadum said.

Changes always are evolving at the Pelican Rapids Police Department. One of the squad cars now is equipped with its own computer.

Stadum, who has worked in the department in Pelican Rapids since 2001, began his career in law enforcement at Forman, N.D., for the city’s police department. He subsequently worked for Sargent County, N.D., and from 1998 to 2001 was employed by the police department in Jamestown, N.D., before returning to his hometown of Pelican Rapids.

He’s worked for 10 years with K-9 dogs while in both Jamestown and Pelican Rapids. Over the years Stadum has enjoyed his association with students at both Viking Elementary and Pelican Rapids High School.

“Having a good rapport, with members of the community in all walks of life, is extremely important for this (police) department,” Stadum said.

In his new role as police chief, Stadum admits it’s a learning curve to fully implement a routine pertaining to all of the paperwork that goes along with heading the Pelican Rapids Police Department.

To that end, he’ll take part in training for new police chiefs, organized by the Minnesota League of Cities. His training will take place in Little Falls.

Another new role for Stadum will be attending meetings of the Pelican Rapids City Council. He’ll report regularly on operations of the department, submit budget reports, and keep the council and mayor informed about other issues related to the police department.

Fox served 30 years with the Pelican Rapids Police Department, as police chief the past 6-1/2 years. He plans to remain in Pelican Rapids now that he’s retired.

Today the department has three squad cars, and there are several emergency response channels including fire, ambulance, civil defense and others.

Stadum and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of three children, Jason, 13, Erin, 9, and Katie, 8.