Commander Kyle Linscheid Appointed Hastings Police Chief

Kyle Linscheid Appointed Hastings Police Chief 

The Hastings City Council appointed Hastings Police Department Commander Kyle Linscheid to Hastings Police Chief at the March 16 City Council meeting. Commander Linscheid will serve as the 57th Police Chief in Hastings’ 169-year history, following the retirement of Chief David Wilske at the end of this month.

Linscheid has been with the City’s police department for 18 years and was selected through a rigorous internal hiring process. He began his duties with the Hastings Police Department as a patrol officer in 2008 and has played several roles throughout his tenure with the department. He has served as school resource officer, Dakota County Drug Task Force agent/team leader, negotiator, patrol sergeant and most recently as commander. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in law enforcement from Winona State University.

“Throughout a series of interviews, Commander Linscheid proved he is a strategic thinker, able to set long-term goals and open to multiple perspectives to ensure informed decisions when problem-solving,” said City Administrator Dan Wietecha. “He will continue to advance the strong culture and morale we have built at the Hastings Police Department.”

The hiring process included interview panels with representatives from Dakota County Social Services, 360 Communities, IDEA, Ally Supportive Services, and Hastings Ministerial, Hastings School District as well as the Public Safety Committee of the City Council, Public Safety Advisory Commission, Hastings Police Department, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and City department directors.

Linscheid was one of three internal candidates, and Wietecha expects additional promotions from within the department in the coming weeks, as Commander Linscheid assumes his new chief duties.

Chief Wilske to Retire March 31

The City Council recognized outgoing Police Chief David Wilske by proclaiming March 31, 2006 - his last official day before retiring - as David D. Wilske Day in the City of Hastings. During his tenure, Chief Wilske focused on fostering strong community partnerships, enhancing public safety through strategic initiatives, and securing grant funding for essential equipment and department improvements. His leadership helped bolster public trust and revitalize critical departmental programs such as the Police Reserve Unit.

Photo - Kyle Linscheid

Proclamation - David D. Wilske Day