Cold Spring City Administrator Corrects Record Regarding Police Chief Candidate

COLD SPRING -- The Cold Spring City Administrator sent out a statement to correct the record regarding their police chief candidate today.

The Cold Spring City Council reviewed private data regarding police chief applicant Eric Johnson at their February 26 meeting.

City administrator Paul Hetland says under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Johnson had the right to open the meeting and he chose not to. The council went into a closed session due to a review of allegations or charges against Johnson.

Hetland says contrary to the St. Cloud Times article,  "Johnson's contract with council members or city officials following February 11th, had no bearing on the actions of the City."

Hetland says the city is limited on what they can disclose by the constraints of the Act.

The news release also states that interim Police Chief Chris Boucher and State Patrol Officer Dave Stadther have both maintained the necessary certifications including First Aid/CPR and First Responder.