Ely swears in new officers

Ely swears in new officers Charles Petersen and Ashlan Barthrope join city’s police department

Ely council members met the city’s newest police officers earlier this week.

Charles Petersen and Ashlan Barthrope were both flanked by family members as they took part in separate swearing-in ceremonies at the start of Tuesday’s regular council session.

Police Chief Chad Houde also provided brief introductions.

Petersen hails from southern Minnesota, where he worked on a dairy farm as a youth “but always had a passion for serving his community,” Houde said.

In 2017, Petersen began taking courses to become a police officer and during those years worked summers in Alaska for a whale watching company.

Petersen later completed his coursework and became on officer for the city of La Crescent before taking the job in Ely.

Houde described Petersen as an “avid outdoorsman,” and a video game enthusiast who brings a special skill to the Ely department.

“He loves working on cars, which is a great asset,” said Houde.

Barthrope grew up in Cass Lake, graduating from Cass Lake-Bena after standing out in several sports and serving on the student council.

“She got her start in public safety working as a dispatcher,” said Houde.

That work was for the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, and Barthrope was later employed by Beltrami County and later the Minnesota State Patrol when she decided to further her career by becoming an officer.

Barthrope enrolled at Minnesota North-Vermilion, graduated in December, 2023, and completed skills training last fall.

In March, Barthrope joined the Ely police force and she has interests ranging from hunting to traveling to baking.

She also enjoys teaching people to fish and works as a part-time fishing guide with her partner Adam.

Among those with her for the swearing in ceremony was her young son.

The hires bring the Ely police back to a full complement of officers.

“Both Charles and Ashlan have been great additions to our community,” said Houde.