Cook County sheriff talks rural law enforcement as nation readies for Chauvin trial

There is worldwide attention on law enforcement in Minnesota as the trial is set to begin for Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death.

At the same time, Minnesota politicians continue to discuss options for who should pay for security during the upcoming trial.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen about legislation and statewide policies that are impacting law enforcement across Minnesota. Eliasen describes these changes through the lens of rural law enforcement in Minnesota.

Other topics discussed in the interview include the use and abuse of drugs in Cook County, mutual-aid agreements and recruitment of deputies for the local sheriff’s department.