New Brooklyn Center Chief: ‘Policing Is a Noble Profession’
Garett Flesland has walked the halls of the Brooklyn Center Police Department since 2001 with a sense of pride.
“I believe policing is a noble profession,” he said. “I became a police officer because I wanted to make a positive impact on the community.”
He has held most every position within the department — including patrol officer, detective, sergeant and commander.
But even after eight years in a commander position, he didn’t expect he’d be wearing the chief’s badge.
“Growing up, through my years in law enforcement, I never had a desire for a specific title or any kind of specific role,” Flesland said.
Despite this, the city of Brooklyn Center named Flesland its new police chief last week. And he’s excited to take the helm.
“I think my time here with the department has given me some decent insight into the challenges that we face as a community, but then also the opportunities that we have for growth as a department,” he said.
Garett Flesland was named chief of the Brooklyn Center Police Department last week.
One of his priorities as he takes the leadership position is to focus on community engagement. He said he’s “doubling down” on community policing.
“We’re going to do the traditional engagement opportunities, we’re going to be back at the farmer’s market, we’re going to have Cones with Cops,” he said. “But what I’m going to push my staff and push my self to do is find those areas where law enforcement has not typically been.”
Flesland has roots in the local community. He grew up in Brooklyn Park and is a graduate of Park Center High School.
He’s also a U.S. Navy veteran. He said the years he spent in the Navy helped to cement him in a life of public service.
“I will forever be grateful for my time in the Navy, and I think that kind of established that foundational — inner calling — satisfaction with service that propels me,” Flesland said.
He’s taking charge about six months after former chief Kellace McDaniel retired.
McDaniel came to the department in the difficult aftermath of the Daunte Wright shooting. For a time, staff levels dropped in the department.
Now, Flesland says the department has filled 39 of its 50 officer positions, with another officer expected to start soon.
He’s hoping to keep officer morale high.
“Morale can be a tricky thing — morale can be an individual thing also,” he said. “I’m asking everyone to choose to be happy. And I ask them to focus their efforts on what’s within their span of control … don’t dwell on the negativity. Find something you can do to make things better.”
He also reminds his staff every day that they can make a difference.
“Let’s focus on what we can influence, give it 110 percent, and I think we’re going to be incredibly surprised at what they’re going to be able to do.”
