In a show of public transparency and community engagement, the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, welcomed seven new police officers at a recent city council meeting. The event, marked by ceremonial oaths, took place on June 2 and was a platform for the St. Louis Park Police Department to introduce some of its latest recruits to the residents they're set to serve. City Clerk Melissa Kennedy officiated the ceremony, which honored Officers Maxwell Dehn, Corey Andress, Craig Wilking, Hailey Luhmann, Cameron Barukzoy, Nicolas Monaghan, and Aaron Gilley.
According to a Facebook post by the City of St. Louis Park, these officers had already taken their official oaths on their respective start dates. Having completed all the requirements of their field training, they have now officially transitioned into their solo patrol assignments. The ceremony is part of a tradition that not only familiarizes officers with the community but also provides a stage for family and friends to express their support.
Among the seven officers sworn in, Dehn, Andress, and Wilking were recruited in the latter half of 2023. Their colleagues Luhmann, Barukzoy, Monaghan, and Gilley joined the force in January 2024. Particularly noteworthy is the department’s Pathways to Policing program, which has fostered the early career development for three officers; Barukzoy, Gilley, and Monaghan, have all progressed through this initiative.
The addition of these officers comes at a time when national conversations continue to circle police presence and community relations. Standing with City Clerk Melissa Kennedy in the Facebook-shared photo were Chief Bryan Kruelle alongside Officers Gilley, Monaghan, Barukzoy, Luhmann, Wilking, Andress, and Dehn, symbolizing a new chapter for both the department and community members alike. The officers and their families embraced the ceremonial milestone, signifying their readiness to serve and protect with integrity and commitment.
