Experience

Chief Eric Klang began his career in law enforcement with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office in June of 1990. He was assigned as a drug operative with the Heartland Drug Task Force/Net VI. He was hired to purchase marijuana but only purchased meth, a problem that was not immediately recognized by the community at that time. He was also the first one to purchase GHB in the state. Since that time he has worked in every area of law enforcement and has stayed on top of the latest crime trends facing law enforcement.
Eric Klang serves as the current police chief for the City of Pequot Lakes and has over three decades of law enforcement experience. He has spent all of his working life in public service and is an expert on customer service and its direct relationship to law enforcement.
Eric has served as one of the youngest sheriffs ever elected in the state of Minnesota in 2002. He has a history of developing innovative leadership and community outreach ideas (thinking outside the box) and believes customer service is the cornerstone to policing services. “If you have good customer service everything else will fall into place”.
Eric holds a B.S. degree from Bellevue University in CJA and an A.A.S. Law Enforcement degree from Hibbing Community College. He is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. As the chief of police, Eric recognizes that he must to lead by example. He holds numerous certifications in upper management courses and is currently working towards completing his Master’s degree.
Eric has been involved in several areas outside of law enforcement. He has severed as a mentor for Minnesota Teen Challenge, “Let’s Go Fishing” for seniors, marriage mentor, Good Sam board member, Driver Improvement Instructor and currently serves as treasurer for the Rosenmeier Advisory Board. Eric is the father of four active boys and husband to his wife Annette.

Eric Klang’s Mission Statement

I pledge to work hard to represent the ideals of professional policing and to work collectively and collaboratively alongside our community and stake holders in the delivery of our best policing services.
I’m excited for this opportunity to run for Sheriff, to utilize my passion for leading our profession to excellence and commitment to customer service. My goal is to transfer this synergy all the way down to you and our staff. I will also be an eager listener, taking inventory while listening to you and outside stake holders on what’s going right and wrong and taking corrective action to resolve it.
I have experience as an elected sheriff and a chief of police managing departments from 125 employees to 15 employees. I have experience in dealing with wealthy, affluent people to the socially and economically depressed while always providing the same level of service. My pledge is to do the same as I serve as your sheriff.
My specific experience as a police chief in Greater Minnesota has taught me the value of community and collaboration in tackling the challenges that we all face in this new chapter of law enforcement. From recruitment and retention to mental health and the opioid epidemic, these all have a direct impact on us in one way or another.
My leadership roles over the last several years, as well as serving on the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association speak to my desire to enhance the professionalism of policing in my sphere of influence. I’ll bring that same passion for leadership, excellence and professionalism to you the citizens of Crow Wing County.
With your help I hope to continue to carry on with these new “outside” the box initiatives like I have accomplished in the past. Some of these initiatives include but are not limited to: creating a joint records management system, that is still in use today by our eleven police agencies, monthly training for deputies, making the In-Custody list and active warrants available online to the public, create a joint jail facility and “Text a Tip” program as well as providing drug education for retail store clerks who sell ingredients for making illegal drugs.
People don’t care what you know until they know that you care. It takes time and effort to build relationships within your community. If you don’t build a relationship with your spouse, it struggles. If you don’t build a healthy relationship with the community, it falters.

I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail! Thank you for visiting my site and taking the time to learn more about me. God Bless.

Your soon to be Sheriff, Eric Klang