To the editor:

My name is Kristi Hose. I worked for the New Ulm Police Department for 13 years and served as the Administrative Assistant for the Brown-Lyon-Redwood-Renville Drug Task Force (DTF) under both Commander Jeff Hohensee and Commander Jodi Gladis. Statements made about Hohensee regarding the Drug Task Force are inaccurate and misleading.

In 2008, the year before Jeff was Commander, the DTF was in the hole $74,000. In 2010, the Brown County Sheriff’s office failed to submit their allocated dues to the DTF, which was followed by Lyon County doing the same. This irresponsible choice is what caused a shortage of funding during Jeff’s term as Drug Task Force Commander. When Jeff was Commander, we applied and reeived a $275,000 two-year grant to temporarily stabilize the DTF. During that period, Jeff then looked for alternative methods to further support the DTF. Our team developed a per capita funding for each county/city involved. The per capita funding went into effect after the $275,000 grant was completed and has continued to financially stabilize the DTF today.

During this time, Jeff also led task force agents in a high number of successful felony drug investigations and arrests. Hohensee held weekly staff meetings with the agents to set short-term and long-term goals, ensured all necessary paperwork was completed and actively worked with the agents to achieve their goals. Under Commander Hohensee, we received high ratings on our Report Cards from the State after each audit which demonstrates responsibility and his ability to lead a successful team. Ultimately, Jeff was needed to fill a staffing shortage within the New Ulm Police Department and that is why he left the DTF. Since Jeff’s departure from the DTF, I’ll just state that felony drug investigations have decreased significantly. I think we can all agree the drug problem in Brown County needs to be addressed.

I also worked with Hohensee, active Senior Investigator with the New Ulm PD. Jeff’s knowledge, experience, leadership and passion for his job sets him apart from many others. I believe strongly that because Jeff has worked his way through the ranks is what has given him the vast experience and qualifications to be the next Brown County Sheriff. Administrative tasks can be learned, as is the case with any newly elected Sheriff (in any county). We need a Sheriff with real law enforcement knowledge and experience to be a leader and mentor.

I encourage you to vote for Jeff Hohensee for Brown County Sheriff.

Kristi Hose

New Ulm