Northland Community & Technical College Peace Officer

09/02/2026

Northland Community & Technical College Criminal Justice graduate Ann Swanson has achieved an impressive milestone in her law enforcement career, becoming a Deputy Sheriff with the Roseau County Sheriff's Office.

After beginning a career in corrections and graduating from Northland's Criminal Justice program, Ann successfully completed field training and now serves the citizens of Roseau County as a patrol deputy.

Ann credits instructors, training, and hands on experiences for helping prepare for the challenges of law enforcement.

We are incredibly proud of Ann and the dedication shown in pursuing a career of public service.

Congratulations, Deputy Swanson!

08/18/2026

A proud graduate of Northland’s Peace Officer Program, Colby Wooten was recently sworn in as a Crookston Police Officer.

We are excited to see him begin his law enforcement career and continue serving our communities.

Congratulations, Officer Wooten, and thank you for answering the call to serve!

The Crookston City Council met on Monday in the council chambers at City Hall. For a full recap of Monday's meeting, click below. https://kroxam.com/crookston-city-council-welcomes-new-police-officer-reviews-highway-2-land-sale-and-water-utility-payment-dispute-at-mondays-meeting/

08/08/2026

Students from Bemidji State University, University of Minnesota Crookston, North Dakota State University, Leech Lake Tribal College, and Northland Community & Technical College have successfully completed a Minnesota recognized Skills Program at Northland Community & Technical College.

Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to public service. We are proud of your accomplishment and wish you continued success!

07/29/2026

Are you looking for a career that challenges you, serves your community, and provides opportunities for professional growth? Northland Community & Technical College's Criminal Justice Peace Officer Program prepares students with the knowledge, practical skills, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today's law enforcement profession.

Our students continue to achieve strong results on the Minnesota POST examination, with graduates earning positions in agencies throughout Minnesota and the surrounding region.

A key strength of our program is our commitment to student employment placement. Through relationships with local, county, tribal, state, and federal agencies, we help connect students with career opportunities before and after graduation.

Students benefit from networking opportunities, hiring events, agency visits, and individualized mentorship throughout the job search process.

Students learn from experienced full time faculty and adjunct instructors who are actively serving or have served in the career.

Their expertise brings current practices, real world perspectives, and practical scenario based learning directly into the classroom, helping students understand the realities of modern policing and public safety.

Graduates of our program have been employed by agencies including:

Bemidji Police Department
Clearwater County Sheriff's Office
Crookston Police Department
East Grand Forks Police Department
Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Red Lake County Sheriff's Office
Red Lake Police Department
Roseau County Sheriff's Office
Roseau Police Department
Thief River Falls Police Department
Warroad Police Department
White Earth Police Department
U.S. Border Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Whether your goal is to become a police officer, deputy sheriff, tribal officer, conservation officer, correctional officer, probation officer, Border Patrol Agent, or federal agent, Northland's Criminal Justice Peace Officer Program can help you build the skills and connections needed to begin your career.

Northland Community & Technical College
1101 Highway 1 East
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218) 683-8800
Visit: www.northlandcollege.edu

https://www.northlandcollege.edu/academics/programs/peace-officer-aas/

Northland's Peace Officer A.A.S. degree combines criminal justice education with professional peace officer training to prepare you for careers in law enforcement and public safety. Through hands-on training, real-world scenarios, and expert instruction, you'll develop skills in criminal law, invest...

07/14/2026

We would like to recognize two outstanding Northland Community & Technical College Peace Officer students, Aaron and Dane Fish of Warroad, Minnesota. What makes their story especially unique is that they are brothers who have both chosen careers dedicated to protecting our nation and serving others.

Aaron currently serves with U.S. Customs, while Dane recently completed the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. Their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to serve are a credit to their family, their community, and Northland Community & Technical College.

Congratulations, Aaron and Dane! We are proud of all you have achieved and wish you continued success and safety in your careers.

07/03/2026

On June 25, our Criminal Justice students participated in Emergency Vehicle Operations training, the same type of routine training Minnesota Peace Officers complete to maintain critical driving skills and safely respond to emergencies.

With millions of Americans expected to be driving during the Fourth of July holiday, there was no better time to focus on safe vehicle operation.

The day also included some unexpected, real-world training when a tire issue provided an opportunity for students to learn how to safely change a tire proving that sometimes the best lessons aren't part of the original lesson plan.

As we celebrate our nation's independence, we're proud to promote service, preparedness, and a love for this great country.

Travel safely, and Happy Fourth of July!

06/28/2026

Nothing better than seeing Northland grads doing big things, congrats to Titan Engen, now K9 handler!

06/22/2026

Our 2026 Peace Officer Summer Skills students are hard at work building the skills they'll need for a successful career.

A big thank you to The Discovery Place in Thief River Falls for hosting our group and helping students learn the value of effective communication. Experiences like these reinforce that communication is one of the most important tools an officer can have when serving their community!

05/27/2026

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and service of our fallen heroes.