BRANDON RUTTER

KINGSFORD — Sgt. Brandon Rutter has been chosen to be Kingsford’s next public safety director.

Rutter was among three candidates vying for the position to replace Brian Metras, who is retiring in February. Metras has served as director for about 7 1/2 years.

In his application letter, Rutter states he “would continue to serve the City of Kingsford and build relationships with state and local departments as well as work to strengthen internal team building to provide the best service for our community.”

Rutter joined public safety in 2002 after one year as a Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department deputy. He was an officer until 2015, when he promoted to sergeant.

He is among three hostage negotiators in the county and has been a member of the Critical Incident Response Team for more than 10 years.

He spent time as a school resource officer at Breitung Township Schools, which he considers a good way to educate students and bridge the gap between students and faculty and administrators.

He also served as property room/evidence supervisor, where he worked toward creating policy changes to ensure the highest integrity is upheld. He is a Threat Pattern Recognition Use of Force instructor and has attended advance SWAT school, has training for forensic interviewing children and is a firefighter certificate associate training instructor.

Outside work, he has volunteered for many community events such as the Iron Mountain Half Marathon, Pine Mountain 500, and he helped raise money for the UP Honor Flight as one of the Ride of Honor members. He has taken part in the Shop with a Cop program and the Special Olympics Torch Run.

He served as assistant girls tennis coach, assistant wrestling coach at Kingsford High School and varsity wrestling coach at Iron Mountain.

Also applying were Sgt. Tim Olsen and Sgt. Ken Wood.