After nearly 10 years as a patrol officer for the Albert Lea Police Department, Ben Mortensen is answering to a new name: detective.

Wednesday, January 10, 2001

After nearly 10 years as a patrol officer for the Albert Lea Police Department, Ben Mortensen is answering to a new name: detective.

Mortensen replaced retiring detective Spence Osterberg on Dec. 26.

He has been preparing himself for the promotion his entire career, attending training sessions and doing some investigative work on cases.

&uot;When I was on patrol I would do some investigation too, as much as I could,&uot; he said. &uot;I didn’t do any major crime scenes, but I’d do some of the misdemeanor ones.&uot;

To further prepare for his new duties, Mortensen shadowed Osterberg the week before his retirement. Still, making the transition to detective has been a little hectic, he said.

&uot;Just trying to switch from the patrol mode to the investigative mode,&uot; he said.

As a patrol officer, Mortensen co-coordinated the ALPD Safe and Sober program, field trained new officers, and rode on the bike patrol. He still finds himself jumping to answer calls, as he did as a patrolman.

&uot;It will take a while,&uot; he said.

Most detectives start out as patrol officers, Mortensen said. He has been interested in detective work ever since he started with the ALPD.

&uot;I consider it interesting work,&uot; he said.

As one of the ALPD’s four detectives, Mortensen will gather evidence and investigate crime scenes in an effort to determine who to charge with offenses. It is more challenging than patrol duties, he said.

&uot;Out on patrol you do traffic, which is a situation where you have all the evidence right there,&uot; he said. &uot;Whereas, with detective work you have to put all the pieces together, like a puzzle.&uot;

And the hours are better too.

&uot;I’m working during the afternoon and part of the night instead of at three o’clock in the morning,&uot; he said. &uot;Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t get called out and have to work until 3 a.m.&uot;