Levitt speaks of Petersen

Brad is committed to enhancing public safety, strengthening community partnerships and serving the residents of Cottage Grove with professionalism and dedication.”

City Administrator Jennifer Levitt

The Cottage Grove City Council appointed longtime department veteran Brad Petersen as the city’s new public safety director and chief law enforcement officer during its Wednesday, Aug. 19 meeting.
Petersen, who has served the Cottage Grove Police Department for 23 years, took the oath of office before a large gathering of family members, city employees, public safety personnel and community supporters. His wife, Jeanie, pinned on his new badge following the oath.
Petersen’s promotion was unanimously approved, motion made by Council Member Justin Olsen and seconded by Council Member Dave Thiede.
City Administrator Jennifer Levitt spoke before the swearing-in, describing Petersen as a longtime Cottage Grove resident who lives in the community with his wife and their two adult sons. He is active in the Mississippi River Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network and the Cottage Grove Lions Club.
Before beginning his law enforcement career, Petersen earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and gained experience as a firefighter and paramedic. During his time with Cottage Grove Public Safety, he has served as a community service officer, police officer, paramedic, field training officer, instructor, detective and patrol sergeant.
Petersen later became deputy director of public safety, serving as patrol captain and interim director. He also held several positions with the Washington County SWAT team, eventually serving as its assistant commander.
In addition to his public safety career, Petersen served for 10 years as a cavalry officer in the Minnesota National Guard.
“Brad is committed to enhancing public safety, strengthening community partnerships and serving the residents of Cottage Grove with professionalism and dedication,” Levitt shared.
Levitt said the police chief’s badge represents the highest level of leadership and accountability within a public safety organization. The chief, she said, carries responsibility for the department’s decisions while also setting its moral and professional standards.
“Tonight’s oath and badge pinning carries with it the public’s trust and confidence,” Levitt said.
Petersen thanked his family for supporting him throughout the long hours, meetings, telephone calls and other demands of his career. He acknowledged that becoming chief would bring even more responsibility and would require continued sacrifices from those closest to him.
“The chief’s badge comes with a heavy burden and a lot of responsibility,” Petersen said. “And if anybody knows me, I’m going to step up in a challenge and do it to the best of my ability.”
Petersen said he could not carry that responsibility without his family standing beside him and allowing him to devote his energy to the department and community.
He also thanked Cottage Grove’s public safety employees, describing the department as an exceptional team that provides high-quality care and service to residents.
“When I look around every single day, I’m impressed, I’m proud, I’m honored every day with the way you deliver top-notch care and service to our community,” he said.
Petersen recognized retired Public Safety Director Pete Koerner for his leadership, mentorship and work preparing both the organization and Petersen for the transition. He also thanked Mayor Myron Bailey, the council and Levitt for their trust and continued support of the department.
Petersen said that until recently, he had never aspired to become public safety director or imagined himself taking the oath as chief. He said his appointment ultimately came down to his commitment to Cottage Grove and the support he received from public safety personnel, friends, family members, mentors, city leaders and community partners.
“I care incredibly about this community, and I’ll work tirelessly to advance our public safety agenda,” Petersen said.
Although the department is undergoing changes, Petersen said it would remain committed to the values, mission and goals that have guided it in the past. He pledged that Cottage Grove Public Safety would continue providing service with empathy, working with residents as partners and maintaining public trust through transparency and high professional standards.
Petersen also said the department would remain resilient and innovative as Cottage Grove grows and encounters new public safety challenges.
“Cottage Grove Public Safety will continue to be a source of community pride,” he said. “I’m extremely proud to lead the men and women of Cottage Grove Public Safety, and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Petersen told those gathered that the ceremony represented an important milestone for both himself and the department. After taking time to celebrate, he said, the department’s attention would immediately return to its mission, the community and its employees.
“Together with our residents, community partners and this devoted public safety team, we’ll continue building a community that we’re all proud of,” Petersen said.
Petersen’s first official act as public safety director was recognizing Reserve Sergeant Matt Jordan upon his retirement from the Cottage Grove Police Department’s reserve program.
Petersen presented Jordan with a certificate of appreciation and the badge he had worn during 13 years as a volunteer reserve officer. Petersen said the moment was bittersweet because Jordan was both a friend and an important part of the organization.
While Petersen said he was sorry to see Jordan leave the department, he said retirement would give Jordan more time with his family and allow him to devote himself to other forms of community service.
Petersen said Jordan had volunteered more than 1,000 hours in support of the police department’s mission. He was recognized for his calm professionalism, selfless service, dependability and care for Cottage Grove.
“You are a dependable partner and trusted mentor within the public safety team,” Petersen said. “You embodied CGPD’s model of guardians serving our community, and for that, CGPD is eternally grateful for your service and friendship.”
Petersen said Cottage Grove had not previously presented retiring reserve officers with their badges and a formal certificate. He said the department believed it was time to begin recognizing the reserve officers’ extensive contributions.
Reserve officers are sworn volunteers who perform numerous necessary but often less visible duties, Petersen said. Those duties include directing traffic during parades and community events, maintaining perimeters and transporting prisoners to jail.
“They answer the call and they do it for no pay,” he said.
While some reserve officers use the program as a step toward a full-time law enforcement career, Petersen said Jordan served because he genuinely wanted to give back to Cottage Grove.
“For the last 13 years, he wasn’t pursuing a career in law enforcement,” Petersen said. “He did this because he loves Cottage Grove.”
Petersen said Jordan consistently answered when the department needed assistance, never complained and approached his work with professionalism. He also thanked Jordan’s family for the many hours he spent serving the city.
“For being a friend to all of us, for your service to everybody here on the whole public safety team, I can’t thank you enough,” Petersen said.
Also Wednesday, the council approved two commission appointments as part of its consent agenda.
The first was retired public safety director Pete Koerner, appointed to the Cottage Grove Planning Commission for a term ending Feb. 28, 2027.
Olsen asked the council to support the appointment, noting that Koerner is a longtime Cottage Grove resident who grew up in the city and attended Park High School. Koerner has also coached youth athletics and remains active in the Cottage Grove Lions Club.
Although Koerner recently retired from the city, Olsen said he continued to have a strong desire to serve the community.
“Since he had a little spare time, he thought maybe joining the Planning Commission would be a good idea, and I happen to agree,” Olsen said.
The council also appointed Case Kemper to a youth seat on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission.
Thiede said he and commission Vice Chair Susie Brown interviewed Kemper for the position. Kemper has already been involved with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department as both a volunteer and a staff member with the supervised summer playground program.
“He’s actually a perfect person to be a youth member of the Parks and Rec,” Thiede said.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including both appointments. It also approved the city’s bill disbursements. There were no public hearings, bid awards or regular agenda items scheduled for the meeting.
During council comments, Olsen congratulated Jordan and said he had personally seen Jordan assist at Strawberry Fest, Fourth of July activities, parades and other events in difficult weather conditions.
“Never a complaint, and we’re very lucky to have him as a member of this community,” Olsen said.
Olsen also congratulated Cottage Grove employees after the city was recognized for its support of military members, veterans and their families. Bailey said representatives would attend a future council meeting to formally present the award.
Thiede congratulated Petersen on his promotion and said the department would be in good hands. He also wished Jordan well in retirement.
Council Member Monique Garza promoted an upcoming taco truck visit to City Hall and the city’s Sept. 19 food truck festival at Kingston Park. Bailey said the festival would run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and would include more than 30 food trucks, vendors and live music. Admission would be free, although attendees would purchase their own food.
Bailey also announced a public safety open house scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hero Center next to City Hall. The event will include hands-on activities, displays and opportunities for residents to learn more about how first responders train and serve the community.
Bailey closed the council comments by reflecting on the large number of current and former public safety employees who attended Petersen’s ceremony. He said many Cottage Grove police officers, firefighters, paramedics and department leaders grew up in the city or spent much of their careers serving the community.
Bailey said that local connection contributed to the strong relationship between residents and Cottage Grove’s police, fire and emergency medical personnel.
“There are so many that came up through the ranks, if you will, and came up as members of our community over the years,” Bailey said.
He congratulated Petersen and said he looked forward to continued accomplishments from the city’s public safety, fire and emergency medical services teams.
Cottage Grove council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month in city hall. The public is welcome to attend.