By Tim Douglass

tdouglass@pctribune.com

In an effort to better serve veterans who become involved in the local criminal justice system, Pope County Commissioners heard about a new program called the Veterans Initiative Project (VIP). The comprehensive six-point plan aims to identify, supervise, and connect veteran offenders with specialized services and support.

The new initiative, VIP, came about after Pope County Commissioner Paul Gremmels, himself a veteran, asked if Pope County could pursue a Veterans Court in Pope County.  A Veterans Court is a specialty court program that addresses the unique needs of veterans that become involved in the judicial system.  He pointed out that it is not a “get out of jail free” program. 

Probation Director Terry Jaworski  said Pope County had offered a Veterans Court program a few years ago, but dropped it because of low veteran population in the county.  The new Veterans Initiative Project stems from previous discussions and Gremmels’ request to enhance support for veterans involved in the court system. Staff members recently undertook a comprehensive assessment of existing veterans-oriented services that intersect with court and probation systems, exploring ways to improve collaboration across various offices to better assist veterans., Jaworski explained. 

“We had enthusiasm and support for this initiative a few years ago, but we lacked the veteran population to sustain it,” said Jaworski, who spearheaded the development of a blueprint for the Veterans Initiative Project.  “This new blueprint provides a fiscally responsible and sustainable solution for Pope County,” he told commissioners at last Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.  

The VIP begins by identifying veterans as they enter the criminal justice system. This is done through the use of the Minnesota pre-trial assessment tool and Pope County Probation’s intake questionnaire, both of which ask defendants about their military service.

Once identified, veteran offenders are assigned to a specialized probation caseload supervised by an officer who can confirm their veteran status and whether they wish to participate in the VIP. This allows for closer alignment of supervision conditions and potential sentence adjustments.

“We can meet with the county attorney’s office regarding requests for continued for dismissal or stayed adjudication in appropriate veteran cases,” said Jaworski. “The goal is to find the best path forward that addresses the underlying issues these veterans may be facing.”

The VIP would also involves connecting veterans with the county’s Veteran Service Officer and Veterans Justice Outreach worker to determine eligibility for benefits and services. Referrals are made for assessments, programming, and initiatives like peer mentorship opportunities.

Blueprint of Pope County’s VIP

The proposed Blueprint of the Pope County Veterans Initiative Project (VIP)

The six-point plan includes several key components: 

1. Identifying veterans entering the criminal justice system through the use of the Minnesota pre-trial assessment tool and Pope County Probation’s intake questionnaire.

2. Assigning identified veterans to a specialized probation caseload, where their veteran status is confirmed, and they can choose whether to receive veteran-specific services.

3. Reviewing pre-trial release and probation agreements with veterans to ensure appropriate supervision.

4. Considering sentence adjustments, such as continued for dismissal or stayed adjudication, in coordination with the county attorney’s office.

5. Connecting veterans with the county’s Veteran Service Officer and Veterans Justice Outreach worker to confirm eligibility for benefits and services.

6. Pursuing programming needs and initiatives for veterans, including potential peer mentorship opportunities.

Plan more sustainable 

than “Veterans Court”

Commissioner Gordy Wagner, also a veteran, said he “liked the idea” of (the VIP).  “It’s a smaller program.   I know we were looking at trying to get other counties involved for a larger geographic area, but if it gets too big, it’s not as personal.”

Jaworski said that when the county did have a Veterans Court for a few years, it did work with Stevens County, but again added that even the two counties combined didn’t provide enough of a veteran population to sustain the program.  

Commissioner Paul Gremmels thanked Jaworski and the other staff members involved in working on the new initiative, and said he thought it was “a wonderful plan.”  

“As you know, being a veteran yourself,” Gremmels said to Jaworski, “when you finish your years of service, you are literally thrown into another world immediately…and that adjustment period is fraught with trouble.”  

“This is about providing a safety net and support system for our veterans during a critical transition period,” Gremmels added. “We owe it to those who have served our country to ensure they have the resources they need to successfully reintegrate into the community.”

Commissioner Paul Gerde agreed, but said he believed the military could do more for service members before they are discharged. “We should be heading the problem off beforehand, not afterwards,” he added.  “They should be getting them prepared for discharge and going out into the public.”

Jaworski said while doing some brainstorming about the VIP there was a discussion about a local veteran mentorship organization that could work with veterans.  A group that could meet with them and talk about services available or just someone to reach out and welcome them and be there if needed.

Wagner said he couldn’t speak for the American Legion or the VFW members, “but I’d like to bring up the mentoring aspect with them.”

Pope County Administrator Kersten Kappmeyer told the board that he believed the blueprint of VIP support is a “good roadmap to serve internally,” He suggested that the county would need to follow up on the external mentorships.   He told the board that the VIP blueprint is a “good plan to go with.” He also pointed out that efforts to serve local veterans in the criminal justice system are supported by the local judiciary and the county attorney’s office.

Board Chair Larry Lindor thanked Jaworski for his plan to provide better outcomes for veteran offenders within Pope County.  “It’s a good plan for us to start with,” he added.

Because the board makes no formal decisions at the Committee of the Whole meetings, the VIP will be considered at a future regular board of commissioners meeting.