SCDIU, SROs

SOUTH CENTRAL DRUG INVESTIGATION UNIT

The South Central Drug Investigation Unit’s (SCDIU) mission is to investigate and apprehend mid to upper level drug dealers and violent offenders in our communities. SCDIU agents build successful cases against dealers including drug sales and possession crimes. Agents also investigate violent crimes in our communities such as robberies, burglaries, homicides, gun crimes and drug overdose cases. Frequently, search warrants are executed to recover illegal drugs. The agents work closely with other agencies to identify drug dealers who are selling in several jurisdictions or states.

SCDIU agents are in a small mobile unit that travel to wherever they are needed to make the most impact. The Owatonna Police Department is the fiscal agent of a four county multijurisdictional Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) including Steele, Freeborn, Waseca and Faribault counties. The team serves 2500 square miles and approximately 100,000 people and in 2018, consisted of a commander, administrative assistant and five full-time agents. In 2019, a fifth agent was added. There are 13 law enforcement agencies that contribute funds to the unit; which is also funded by state and federal grants.

Recent trends in the past year have been an increase of opioid abuse including prescription meds, heroin, and the potent synthetic opioid called fentanyl. Due to unknown potency, overdoses can quickly occur and likely to become fatal. Narcan is an opioid antidote that is used to reverse the fatal effects of opioids and can be administered by first responders. Methamphetamine prices increased by 300% early in 2019 due to Mexican drug cartels sourcing and manipulating the prices. This causes the demand to increase locally and property and persons crimes to subsequently increase.

2019 Forfeitures

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

The Patrol division...

The Owatonna Police Department and the Owatonna Public School District 761 partner in many ways, but none more recognizable as the school resource officers (SRO) assigned to the Owatonna High School and the Owatonna Middle School. In 2019, Detective Brady Vaith was the SRO primarily assigned to the Owatonna High School, but also covered the ISD 761 Alternative Learning Center. Detective Matt Oeltjenbruns was the SRO primarily assigned to the Owatonna Middle School, but also covered all elementary schools. Both detectives have received specific, formal training, and certifications to work as a school resource officer.

School resource officers wear many hats such as an informal counselor, mentor, educator and law enforcement officer, but their key function is to help provide a friendly, safe learning environment for the students and staff where students can come to learn and grow into future leaders in our community.