Intern learns the ropes of police, sheriff’s department

FAIRMONT - For the 16th year, the Fairmont Police Department and Martin County Sheriff's Department welcomed an intern to learn the ins and outs.

The program was started in 2010. It is open to students interested in criminal justice, and is currently led by Parker Stevens of the Fairmont Police Department. Since its infancy, the program has attracted at least one candidate, and some years there have been multiple.

It has also inspired multiple to come back to work for the Fairmont PD full-time, including Klay Brown, Shaylynn Anderson and Stevens himself. Josh Nelson, Colin Meadows and Luis Figueroa came back to work for the Martin County Sheriff's Department after being in the internship program.

This year, Stevens said there was a tough decision between two candidates for the spot. Due to current police schedules, Stevens said there would not have been enough time to fit two in.

"We sit in here, we ask a series of 10 questions, and ultimately we want to give the candidate the best opportunity to learn from us," he said. "We try to pick someone that we think would be a good fit down the road."

Hayden Toomer was the lucky candidate selected for the program this year. A graduate of Fairmont High School, Toomer is now heading into his second year in the law enforcement program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington.

As for why law enforcement, Toomer said he wanted a career that would allow him to make a positive, meaningful difference in his community.

"I love the idea of being able to help people at their hardest times because obviously that is a hard time of people’s lives," he said. "I want to be the person that individuals can rely on."

The program reached Toomer through a member of the Fairmont Police Department who attended the same gym as Toomer and knew of his career path. In going for this internship, Toomer said he knew it would give him a bunch of experience.

"Stevens has been super great with that," he said. "He’s allowed me to see probation, the county attorney, do ride-alongs with the PD as well as the sheriff’s office, and be able to see everything rather than just one thing. You see it all in the perspective."

To begin, Toomer said his introduction came through ride-alongs.

"I just rode with a couple officers with the police department," he said. "I got reeled into that a little bit, just to be able to see their computer program and what they do. Learned how to talk on the radio a little bit."

After working with the police department and sheriff’s office, as well as observing the jail, dispatch, county attorney and probation department, Toomer said he has been able to help the department with writing reports. Seeing all these sides is what he said he has enjoyed the most.

"Whether that’s probation, county attorney, PD side, etc," he said. "It’s been super nice to be able to talk to each individual and get their point of view and see how they all got there."

Stevens said the experience has gone well, and Toomer has made good impressions.

"I think he’ll fit in really well if he chooses to come back here," Stevens said. "The response from the guys and gals on the departments and other agencies have been great. I really hope we gave him a good experience and hope he considers coming back to the area."

While he knows for certain he wants to be a police officer, Toomer said this opportunity has brought his dream into perspective.

"It’s been super beneficial," he said. "I loved getting to hear about all different sides of the story, whether that’s PD side, sheriff side, all that stuff. It’s been super great, and I love that they trust me and they chose me."

It has also helped build a bridge between his first and second years of schooling.

"So far with school, it’s been the basic stuff, just the learning point," Toomer said. "This coming year, we’re gonna do the use of force and get active with that stuff. What I’ve seen with their de-escalation skills and use of force, it’s been super great to see. I believe it’s going to be beneficial for me this coming year because then I have a little bit of prior experience and knowledge."

While there is only one week left of his official internship, Stevens said he wants to get Toomer on a state trooper ride-along once during August, but the application for that ride-along still needs to be approved.

Toomer also confirmed that he would like to join the Fairmont PD when he finishes school if they have an opening, but no matter what, he wants to find a position in this area.