Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Late last month, Matt Gorell and Dan Andrews became the newest additions to the Tomahawk Police Departnent.
A Stevens Point native and 2006 graduate of Mid-State Technical College, Gorell was previously employed as a patrol deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for seven years and two years with the Village of Kronenwetter Police Department, before returning to the Northwoods and accepting a position with the Tomahawk Police Department.
“I’m fortunate to be back here in the Northwoods,” he explains. “When I first applied with the sheriff’s office, the landscape and the outdoor recreation opportunities around the area were a huge attraction for me. I had a very positive experience working up here before and had the honor of meeting and working with some great people. It’s great to have an opportunity to work alongside them again in an area I’m familiar with.”
Andrews hails from Bristol, Wis. a community of just over 2,500 in Kenosha County and is a recent graduate of Gateway Technical College and Police Recruit Training at Rhinelander’s Nicolet Technical College.
Prior to joining the ranks of the Tomahawk Police Department, Andrews was employed for 10 years in the Information Technology field.
“I was ready for a change,” he explains of the transition. “I enjoy being outdoors and working with people, law enforcement allows me the opportunity to do both. I’m really looking forward to the community aspect of the job; getting out there and meeting people, getting to know the community I am now a member of. I’m excited.”
Andrews shares Gorell’s sentiments of the Northwoods atmosphere being a major draw for him in applying with the department.
“I’ve been vacationing in this area since I was a child. My family would frequently visit the area on fishing and camping trips so I’m already pretty familiar with the Tomahawk area. As a matter of fact, I purchased my first car in Tomahawk!” he adds with a grin.
Upon taking the oath of office, the pair immediately began their advancement through the department’s rigorous 12-week Field Training and Orientation (FTO) program.
The TPD FTO curriculum consists of three phases. As Gorell and Andrews complete each phase, they will be expected to take more responsibility on their own in learning and completing tasks.
During the first couple weeks, training is more guided by their respective field training officers. But as they progress, training officers will gradually ease into less of an instructor and more of a coach and observer. Currently, both officers are in phase one of the program, which is primarily focused on familiarization and orientation with department documentation systems, policy and procedure orientation as well as the Tomahawk community and area. Through the course of their training, Dan and Matt will work with department Field Training Officers Sgt. Steve Buckwalter, John DuPlayee and Tom Tollefson.
“I’m excited for the future working with the Tomahawk Police Department,” Gorell said. “I’m looking forward to working closely with my new community and doing whatever I can to assist with accomplishing department goals in the community.”
Andrews agrees.
“This is where my family and I (son Nolan and girlfriend Melissa) call home now, It’s been a goal of mine since I was a kid to live here and it’s literally become a dream come true to work for the Tomahawk Police Department,” he adds. “I look forward to being a member of the Tomahawk community. I’m currently a member of the Blood Center of Wisconsin’s Giving for Life Program and I’ll soon be joining the local Kinship Program.”