Cloquet Police Chief Placed on Leave

City Council Voted to Put Steve Stracek on Leave at Thursday's Meeting

CLOQUET, Minn. – There was controversy Thursday, as Cloquet Police Chief Steve Stracek was placed on paid administrative leave at the city council meeting.

That was confirmed to FOX 21 by one city councilor who asked not to be identified.  However, the councilor couldn’t confirm Why Stracek was placed on leave, as the matter is being investigated.

At Thursday’s meeting, councilors went behind closed doors for nearly an hour.  When they returned, the council voted 4–1 to put Chief Stracek on leave.

Stracek was hired in 2014 after more than 20 years with the Duluth Police Department.

The same city councilor also confirmed Sgt. Jeff Palmer was appointed Interim Police Chief by a vote of 3-2.