Dickinson P.D. hires new officer

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Press Photo by Ashley Martin James Petersen, left, looks over procedures with Senior Patrol Officer Brian Koskovich, who is doing Petersen’s field training. Petersen joined the Dickinson Police Department Jan. 5.

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James Petersen followed through with the career path he’d always wanted to take — law enforcement. He was hired at the Dickinson Police Department Jan. 5.

“My personality fits. Everybody thought this is what I was going to do,” Petersen said. “It was always in my mind that somehow, someway, this was what I was going to end up doing.”

Before coming to North Dakota, Petersen resided in Portland, Ore. He moved to New England when a family member living in the area informed him of an opening in the Hettinger County department.

“It was time for a career change,” Petersen said. “It was a

good career move for me.” He said part of what attracted him to law enforcement is the fact he is people oriented.

“I enjoy the ability to help people,” Petersen said. “I’m good with people and good with communities.”

Senior Patrol Officer Brian Koskovich, who is doing Petersen’s field training, agrees he works well with the community.

“He interacts well with people on the calls that we’ve been on,” Koskovich said. “He’s doing very well.”

Petersen had been a deputy in Hettinger County for about a year prior to transferring to Dickinson. He wanted to come to the Dickinson department because it is bigger than the Hettinger County department.

Koskovich said his prior experience has helped Petersen’s field training run smoothly.

“He knows the job,” Koskovich said, adding he’s basically being educated on department policies. “We’re actually ahead in his training.”

He added Petersen has about six weeks of field training to complete.

Petersen said his first winter in North Dakota hasn’t been too bad, but he is still making adjustments to small town living. He said the culture shock is part of the reason he wanted to come to Dickinson, since the area is more populated than Hettinger County.

Petersen hopes to eventually be part of the Southwest Tactical Team, but is happy where he is in the department.

“I like being on patrol,” Petersen said. “I’d rather be out in the community than inside.”

Petersen is glad he jumped into law enforcement and plans to serve for years to come.

“I absolutely love it,” Petersen said. “It’s awesome.”

Koskovich said Petersen is getting along great in the department.

“I think he’ll be a good fit,” Koskovich said. “He has a good personality.”

Tags: new, police, officer