Albert Lea Police Lieutenant Phil Bartusek announced his candidacy for the County Sheriff’s office Friday.

&uot;I believe that to be a successful agency, we must develop strong partnership within our communities and townships,&uot; said Bartusek.

As a member of the Albert Lea Police Department for 20 years, Bartusek currently supervises 18 patrol officers and seven communication personnel.

His contributions include establishing a city ordinance for business trespassing and producing a training video for local retailers licensed to sell alcohol and tobacco.

Surrounded by 15 supporters, Bartusek said in his candidacy speech at the old courthouse that building bridges between the city police department and the Sheriff’s Office would be important.

&uot;My law enforcement experience will strengthen a cooperative collaboration within our county law enforcement agencies,&uot; Bartusek said.

Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Kindler and former Deputy Mark Harig have already announced their own candidacy. The election on November will be the first open-seat election for Freeborn County Sheriff in 36 years.