After nearly two years, Winnebago Police Department is once again at full force with a police chief and two full-time officers.
City Council members unanimously approved the hiring of Jacob Kral of rural Winnebago.
“It took a long time, but we finally did it,” says Mayor Jean Anderson. “We’ve got the right people in the right places.”
Kral has 16 years of experience as a patrol officer and was currently an officer for the North Mankato Police Department.
“He’s a very seasoned officer who’s got four more years of experience than I do,” says Police Chief Nathan Goette. “He’s been doing this a long time and knows what he’s in for.”
Because of Kral’s law enforcement experience the Personnel Committee determined he should be paid at the Step 5 hourly wage of $38.37. He will also receive a hiring bonus of $1,500.
After one year of employment Kral will be paid another $1,500 and an additional $2,000 after two years on the job. He is scheduled to start on Nov. 25.
Kral’s name may be familiar to some as he challenged incumbent Sheriff Mike Gormley in the November 2022 general election and lost.