Professional Biography

Pohlman brings 35 years of successful law enforcement experience, and 20 years of honorable U.S. military service, to his post as Lakefield’s Chief of Police. His strong advocacy on behalf of community policing, citizen involvement, and open communications underscores his commitment to protecting the constitutional rights, human rights, personal safety, and quality of life of every Lakefield community member.

Jackson County Commissioner

• Commissioner, Jackson County, Minnesota, since 2022

Police Experience

• Police Chief, City of Lakefield, Minnesota 2021 – present

• Police Chief, City of Red Wing, Minnesota 2012-2021

• Adjunct instructor, Minnesota State College Southeast, 2014-present

• Police Lieutenant, Office of Professional Standards 2011-2012

• Police Lieutenant, Facilities & Equipment Bureau Commander 2009-2011

• Police Sergeant, Human Resources Bureau – Training Section 2006-2008

• Police Sergeant, Patrol Supervisor 2001-2006

• Police Officer/Neighborhood Resource Officer 1999-2001

• Police Officer/Patrol 1996-1999

Military Service

North Dakota Army National Guard.

•   Retired Reserve, 1st Lieutenant 1996-2006

•  Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

•  Platoon Leader, Fox Battery, 188th Air Defense Artillery, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

•  Military Transition Team Advisor to the Iraqi Army, responsible for advising on company operations, planning, and training.

U.S. Air Force (Active Duty) Security Police.      

• Honorable Discharge 1986-1996

• Veteran of Desert Storm.

•  Assignments included Arizona, North Dakota, Germany, Turkey, and Guam

Services and Affiliations

Former Board member:

•  Goodhue County Salvation Army

•  Every Hand Joined

•  Hiawatha Valley Society for Human Resources Management

•  Grand Forks School Board

•  Director, North Dakota School Board Association

Professional Services and Affiliations

• Past member, 1st Vice-Chair, Minnesota Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Committee, League of Minnesota Cities representative for Greater Minnesota

• Past Minnesota Chiefs Representative on the Minnesota Homeland Security Advisory Council

• Member and past Director, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association

• Member, Fraternal Order of Police

• Lifetime Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars

• Lifetime Member, Military Officers Association of America

• Lifetime Member, Air Force Sergeants’ Association

• Member, International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association

 Education

•  Master of Business Administration, University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota

• Northwestern University, Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command, Class 229

• Master of Science in Human Resources Administration, Central Michigan University

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University, Parkville, Missouri

Local Membership

• VFW

• Jackson County Historical Society - Lifetime Membership

• American Legion

• Disable Veterans