Though Officer Chris Lindbloom’s official start date as Becker Police Chief was in June, last Tuesday’s City Council meeting featured his official swearing-in and introduction to the community.

Lindbloom survived the hiring process that took months and featured numerous qualified candidates and interviews. Lindbloom was named chief by the council and took over for interim Chief, Mike Meehan on June 7. This after Long-time Chief Brent Baloun retired from the department at the end of 2024.

Lindbloom, 37, grew up in Sartell along with his parents and two sisters. He attended Sartell High School and upon graduation, attended St. Cloud State University (where Baloun was instructor) and attained his Bachelor’s degree. He then attended Law Enforcement School in Alexandria.

“Yeah I took some skills training classes at SCSU when Brent was an instructor there,” said Lindbloom. “Years later, when I applied for a job at Becker, I mentioned that to him and he said he kinda remembered me.”

Lindbloom, while living in St. Cloud began looking for a job in law enforcement that was “closer to home”. He eventually found work in western Minnesota (Clara City in Chippewa County)and served there for two years as a Police Officer. In 2013, a part-time position at Becker opened up and he applied and was hired by the city.

His first days on the job he was an overnight patrol, then dayshift which led him to become a Lieutenant under Baloun. He finally moved his family (wife, Brittany and nine-year-old son, Colton and seven-year-old daughter, Brooklyn) to the Becker area and started getting acquainted with the community by being involved as a softball  and t-ball coach, a Watch Dog at the school along with  many other activities and events.

Lindbloom says he’s not about to “rock the boat” in Becker as the new chief saying, “I’ve inherited a ship that is sailing in the right direction and I’m not about to disrupt it. I’m not coming into a department that has a lot of needs.”

Currently, Lindbloom has seven fulltime staffers and one fulltime administrator along with two part-timers and two reserves. He’s presently looking to hire at least one fulltime officer along with a supervisor and investigator.

Lindbloom says he has taken over a department that is comprised of highly trained and dedicated staff who make it their mission to provide a quality service to the citizens of Becker.

“I will work to maintain strong relationships with our community members, businesses and visitors,” he says. “Understanding our community and providing police services with professionalism, confidence, empathy and compassion will be a priority. We are always adapting and growing, keeping up with those changes whether it is a new policy, procedure, tool or training is vital to the success of a police department, especially in a community our size.”

The other thing he and his department has had to face is the new department facilities at city hall. For a couple years, the building along Sherburne Ave. in Becker which house city hall and the BPD has been under construction for renovation and expansion. The police department itself is expanding exponentially with larger offices and workspaces, a larger and better built garage, new evidence rooms, locker rooms and showers and an exercise and weight room that mimics just about any area fitness center.

Lindbloom says he is excited to work with city council in his new role, though he is well acquainted with the board after representing the department with committee reports and budgets for Baloun.  He plans on expanding on his leadership qualities and is thankful for the mentoring he’s received from both Baloun and Meehan through the years.

One of Lindbloom’s pride and joy is the donut drive-thru he initiated years ago where citizens are invited to pull up to the Becker Baptist Church’s parking lot on their way to work to receive free donuts during Becker Kindness Week every November.

“It’s a small gesture but I like to see the smiles on people’s faces and the joy something simple like this brings to the community,” he said.

Lindbloom also plans to re-ignite the “Coffee with the Chief” event so people can ask questions about himself or the department. He already has good relations with Big Lake’s department and the sheriff’s department in Sherburne County but he wants people to see the police in a friendly, willing-to-help way rather than being formidable and daunting.

“I strive to be available to the community that I serve, so do not hesitate to reach out if one has any questions or concerns.”

Congratulations Chief Lindbloom. Good luck in your new career track!