Minnesota Training Team

Meet your training team....

Facilitator

Officer Susan Gottwald
Plymouth Police Department
Susan has been a D.A.R.E. Officer for over 17 years and has been with the training team for over 15.  She has incredible knowledge of the D.A.R.E. lessons.  Susan leads the training team.

Educators

Marilyn Lindquist

Marilyn is the educational bond.  Need I say more?  Marilyn is a retired educator that returns to Minnesota just to train the new recruits.  Leaving Arizona in the dead of winter is proof of her dedication to the students and the D.A.R.E. Program.

Mentors

Retired Officer Jim Stenglin
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Ret.
Jim is one of the most senior mentors on the team.  Jim brings humor and entertainment to the training. Jim, commonly called Ellwood, because of his love for the Blues Brothers.  Jim's continues to be a part of the team even though he has hung up his gun belt (or has he?).  Jim also works part-time for a small police department outside the Metro.

Deputy Bill Spitzer
Winona County Sheriff's Department
Bill is one of two mentors who joined the team just over 5 years ago.  Bill has taught the D.A.R.E. Program for 15 years Bill's experience encompasses all areas of the curriculum and is certified in Elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High.  Bill is our "techy" person who can usually be found in the rear of the classroom behind a laptop screen or listening to mp3's.

E-mail: bill@billspitzer.org

Officer Julie Lawrence
Park Rapids Police Department
Julie joined the team with Bill just 5 short years ago.  Julie is our northerner who keeps us on the straight an arrow.  Julie can be found actively preparing for the next activity.  Julie is also responsible for our rare snacks which usually includes Elk meat.

Officer Deric Swenson
Moorhead Police Department
Derek is the new kid on the block.  He completed his shadowing last January and hopefully we have shed some light on his future of being a mentor?

Deputy Nick Baden
Benton County Sheriff's Office
Nick is also the new mentor on the team.  Nick may be retiring.  The story continues......

Deputy Dave Holmquist
Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office
Dave is one of two shiny new pennies that have just joined the team.  Dave just completed the training and awaits the shadowing process.  Good Luck Dave!

Officer Joe Brueske
Plainview Police Department
Joe is the other shiny penny who awaits the final process of mentoring.  Welcome aboard!