Two Rochester Police Officers Receive Statewide Honor
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) Two Rochester Police Officers are receiving statewide recognition.
The officers are among more than 60 officers, troopers, deputies and prosecutors being honored for their efforts of taking impaired drivers off of Minnesota roads. They all make-up the “DWI Enforcer All-Star Team” and are being honored during Sunday’s Twins game at Target Field.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) says this year’s team made 4,447 combined DWI arrests across Minnesota last year. The two Rochester Police Officers who made the team are Officer Eric Christenson and Officer Reed Bartsch.
A news release from DPS says Officer Christenson made 92 suspected DWI arrests last year. Officer Bartsch arrested 58 people on suspicion of DWI in 2022.
“The DWI All-Stars do more than just arrest impaired drivers. They save lives, stop crashes and keep families from feeling the lifelong heartache of losing a loved one,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson.
Minnesota State Trooper Gustavo Culbeaux led all DWI All-Stars last year with 173 arrests. It’s the second time he has been the top DWI All-Star.
Law enforcement statewide made nearly 26,000 combined DWI arrests last year. DPS is reminding Minnesotans the consequences of a DWI:
- Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time.
- Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above blood alcohol concentration, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges or face at least one year without a driver’s license.
- Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.
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