New New Hampton Police Chief Closes Out First Month on Job, Looks to Hire Officers
The new Chief of Police in New Hampton recently wrapped up his first month in the position…with officer positions needing to be filled to round out his staff.
The City Council hired Conrad Rosendahl in June after he served the last five years as police chief in Lansing. He took over as NHPD Chief July 1st with an “open door policy.”
Rosendahl says having the public’s trust is vital to their police work.
His job also requires fostering strong relationships, internally and externally.
Meanwhile, Rosendahl and the City has another police officer position to fill after the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) last week announced the hiring of Austin Hageman as a deputy sheriff, who was sworn in on Tuesday (07.30). It’s a “return home” of sorts for Hageman, who previously worked for the BCSO as a correctional officer.
Originally from Fort Atkinson and graduate of Turkey Valley High School in 2017, Hageman joined the New Hampton Police Department (NHPD) in December 2022. The NHPD then put him through the Regional Law Enforcement Academy to become a certified officer starting in June 2023.
Hageman’s departure from the NHPD means another officer opening yet again and is the latest in a series of staff comings and goings within the last four months.
In mid-April, former Police Chief Tim Pederson resigned amid controversy following an off-duty incident. Officer Doug Eagan was named interim chief, but he resigned less than two weeks later. Officer Chad McGee then served as interim chief from May 9th until new Rosendahl took over July 1st.
In mid-July, the City Council approved the hiring of certified officer Darby Stone to start August 11th, plus Troy Riehm, a certified officer employed with an emergency medical service, and Mar-Mac Chief of Police Robert Millinas part-time “on call” officers.
