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Experience
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"Throughout my career, I have not only remained at the forefront of modern policing through continuous education but have applied this knowledge to improve our office’s operations."
- Nathan Budin
Career Progression & Specialized Assignments
✔ Captain (Current, 3+ years)
✔ Sergeant of Investigations (6 years)
✔ Patrol Sergeant (5 years)
✔ Deputy Sheriff & Investigator
✔ Water Patrol ✔ Deputy & Correctional Officer
✔ Specialized Roles: Throughout my tenure, I served in several capacities, including SWAT Team member, K-9 Handler, Field Training Officer (FTO), Use of Force Instructor & Dive Team Member.
Current Administrative Roles and Responsibilities 

✔ Divisional Oversight: Investigations Unit, Courthouse Security, Water Patrol, Dive Team, and the Mobile Field Force Unit.

✔ Executive Management: Direct experience in budgeting, grant management, internal affairs, and the creation of comprehensive office policies and procedures.
✔ Staff Development: Personnel hiring, evaluations, and streamlining documentation to improve department efficiency.
✔ Mentorship: Have spent the last three years working closely under Sheriff Jesse Thomas to ensure a seamless transition of leadership and administrative continuity.
Employee & Community Health
 ✔ Mental Health Leadership: Serve as the Peer Support Coordinator for the Sheriff’s Office, prioritizing the wellness and resilience of first responders.
✔ Mental Health Treatment Court: Partnering in the implementation of the Rice County Mental Health Treatment Court, scheduled to launch in July 2026.
✔ Wellness Advocacy: Hosted professional wellness seminars for the Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies, including “The Pain Behind the Badge.”
Key Accomplishments & Awards
✔ Welfare Fraud Investigator: Directed the addition of this specialized role to the Investigations Unit in 2020 to ensure the integrity of county resources.
✔ Staffing & Equipment: Secured additional personnel, specialized positions, and equipment throughout the Sheriff's Office to meet increasing operational demands.
✔ 2017 Faribault Exchange Club Officer of the Year
✔ 2007 USPCA K-9 Trials Host: Coordinated regional trials for 95 K-9 teams, showcasing Rice County’s professional standards.
✔ 2007 Rice County Sheriff’s Community Service Award
✔ 2004 Minnesota Chiefs of Police Distinguished Service Award
✔ 2001 American Heart Association Life Saving Award
Community 
✔ HOPE Center SMART Team: Served 6 years on the Rice County Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team.
✔ Presentations & Demonstrations Educating the public including youth & seniors on multiple topics. A few major including how to protect yourself from fraud, online predators and overall safety.
✔ Overdose Prevention Advocate: Active member of the Rice County Overdose Fatality Review Board, working to identify trends and implement life-saving interventions in our community.
Volunteer
✔ Rice County Deputy Sheriff's Association Board Member & Treasurer (former), a non profit organization that focuses on giving back to youth in the community 
✔ Northfield youth association T-ball and baseball coach (Former)
✔ Northfield Trap Team coach (Former)
✔ Volunteers for Youth Firearms Safety Field Day
✔ MN DNR ATV Instructor
✔ Salvation Army Fundraising
 
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