Chat with the Chief: Maple Grove PD’s Eric Werner

Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner talked recently with CCX Media’s Rusty Ray about recent promotions within his department.

Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner in the CCX Studios in September 2024.

He first praised the recently-retired Sergeant Dan Hammond, and also announced the recent promotion of Sergeant Grant Smith in the School Resource Officer unit.

“We had an extensive testing process. It involved the school district, so we had the superintendent and her staff involved,” said Chief Werner. The sergeants are typically rotated out after five years, and he said Sgt. Andy Sandberg rotated to the patrol division.

Werner said Sgt. Smith brought valuable SRO and police experience to the role with the schools.

“First, it gets down to relationships and it is standards. We have a well-recognized program. We saw that shine through through the transitions and challenges with the SRO program, and we were just able to bring that to the selection process,” said Werner. “It’s about leading people and supervising people and it’s also an opportunity for us to invest in them as leaders. It’s the position, it’s individual leadership and, hopefully it’s succession planning for the future.”

Sergeant Samantha Valerius was promoted to take Sergeant Hammond’s place.

Maple Grove | Twin Cities

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