Today Chief Matt Sackett administered the oath of office to the department’s newest officers, James Jorde and Cosette Birkholz.

Officer Jorde graduated from Minnetonka High School and served as a Police Explorer for the Minnetonka Police Department for four years. He spent six years in the MN National Guard as a Cavalry Scout and was overseas from 2021-2022. He graduated from MSU Mankato last summer with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and has been a part-time Community Service Officer with the EPPD since May. 

Officer Birkholz graduated from Jefferson High School in Bloomington. She attended St. Cloud State University where she played rugby and joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 2019, she joined the MN National Guard and was recently promoted as a second lieutenant. She also serves as a Quartermaster Officer. Officer Birkholz graduated from St. Cloud State University this past May with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Officers Jorde and Birkholz will spend the next 3 to 4 months in the department’s field training program before patrolling on their own.  

Welcome Officers Jorde and Birkholz!