Police Department
The City of Babbitt, founded in 1944, has approximately 1400 residents and encompasses more than 107 square miles of jurisdiction, making it the second largest city in Minnesota by geographical area. The City of Babbitt is located within the Superior National Forest, approximately 20 miles from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In addition to being a rural mining community, the area hosts a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and serves as a vacation destination for many who enjoy our forests, lakes, trails, and campgrounds. The Babbitt Police Department provides 24-7 law enforcement coverage for the city, with a roster of five full-time officers and six part-time officers. Many of our part-time officers are also employed as deputies or police officers in neighboring communities. In addition to patrol duties, officers are actively involved in our community with many serving on our fire and ambulance services as well as in other civic organizations.
Non-emergency phone: 218-827-2441
Emergency phone: 911
Permit to Purchase Application
Applications for Permit to Purchase can be sumbitted to the Babbitt Police Department
Babbitt Police Officers
Troy Bissonette
Chief Troy Bissonette has been a full-time officer with the Babbitt Police Department since 2019. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Vermilion Community College in 2018 and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from American Public University in 2021. In 2023, he received a commendation letter from the St. Louis County Attorney's Office for his work in investigating an attempted homicide. He also briefly served as an Interim Assistant Director of the Babbitt Ambulance Service. He has additional training from the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in Basic Narcotics Investigation and Sexual Assault Investigation as well as training as an EMT. He is a part-time police officer for the Ely Police Department. He was promoted to Chief of Police of the Babbitt Police Department in 2024.
Jon Shenett
Officer Jon Shenett has been a full-time officer with the Babbitt Police Department since 2007. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1997 and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in 2001. Before joining our city, he was a patrol deputy for the Cook County Sheriff's Office and a member of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Rescue Squad. In 2012, he received a life-saving commendation award for his actions in saving the life of a young child in a stabbing, and in 2022, he received a commendation letter from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office for his actions during a vehicle pursuit. He also is an EMT with the Babbitt Ambulance Service, a part-time police officer for the Breitung Police Department, and a Minnesota DNR Snowmobile & ATV safety instructor.
Todd Heikkila
Officer Todd Heikkila has been a full-time officer with the Babbitt Police Department since 2004. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Vermilion Community College in 2001. Before joining our city, Officer Heikkila was a military police officer in the U.S Air Force, a firefighter for the Embarrass Fire Department, and a part-time police officer for the Gilbert Police Department. In 2023, he received a commendation letter from the St. Louis County Attorney's Office for his work in investigating an attempted homicide. He has additional training as a Police Firearm Instructor, EMT, Firefighter, and is a Minnesota DNR Snowmobile and ATV safety instructor.
Douglas Kremer
Officer Doug Kremer has been a full-time officer with the Babbitt Police Department since 2024. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Hibbing Community College in 2021. Before joining our city, he was a Corrections Officer for the Cass County Sheriff's Office in North Dakota. He has additional training in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.
Phillip Ruelle
Officer Phil Ruelle has been a full-time officer with the Babbitt Police Department since 2024. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from Hibbing Community College in 2023. Before joining our city, he was a Paratrooper in the U.S Army and a Corrections Officer and Dispatcher for the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office. He has additional training as a Police Firearm Instructor and in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.
Part-Time Police Officers
Deputy, Lake County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant, Ely Police Department
K9 Sergeant, East Range Police Department
Equipment Operator, Northshore Mining Company
Chief of Police, East Range Police Department
Officer, Ely Police Department