The Atkinson City Council made the decision to hire a new Atkinson Police Officer on Monday, Feb. 3 at the monthly city council meeting held at the Atkinson City Hall.
Michelle Hallstrom, the newest addition to the Atkinson Police Department, was hired and sworn in by Michael Sholes on Monday, Feb. 3. Shortly after, she began her new career as a protector of Atkinson on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Hallstrom is originally from Pender, where she graduated from Pender High School. After getting her diploma, Hallstrom earned a bachelor’s degree in science with a focus on criminal justice and emergency management from Wayne State College.
Although Hallstrom is in just her second year as a police officer, her dream began a long time ago.
“The sheriff of Thurston County when I was a kid was a woman, which I thought was pretty cool for being a small town and how she was the only female deputy that I had met,” Hallstrom recalled. “She never said no to a request and never made a face that showed she was scared. She was kind of an inspiration for me and that gave me the motivation to want to be someone like her when I grew up.”
With her goals fresh on her mind, Hallstrom began putting in the work after college to achieve her dreams.
Hallstrom started her career as a 911 dispatcher for Thurston County. Following that, she remained in Thurston County to become a corrections officer. Finally, in 2023, she then transferred to their sheriff’s department where she attended police academy.
After finishing the police academy, Hallstrom left Thurston County and moved to Boyd County, where she worked for the sheriff’s office.
Now, after two years in Boyd County, Hallstrom will serve as a police officer in Atkinson.
“Atkinson is roughly the same size and population of Pender and gives me the same vibes as being back home,” she said when asked about what led to her applying for the job. “I like the atmosphere and the people I have met in the community. The community feels very welcoming and open to outsiders. I want to work in a community with that sense of pride and confidence.”
Despite the obvious nerves of beginning a life in a new town without many familiar faces present, Hallstrom is entering this new chapter in her life with a lot of excitement for what’s to come.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting as many people as possible and being active in the community,” she said. “Rather just community events or events through the school. As a kid I enjoyed seeing the officers at events and I want everyone to see and know that as an officer I do not just want to work here but be present both on and off duty.”
Now, with a new chapter of her life beginning in the blink of an eye, Hallstrom wanted to make sure the community knows just how thankful she is for this wonderful opportunity.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone in the community for providing me with the opportunity to learn and grow not only as law enforcement but as a person as well,” she said. “I cannot wait to get to know many of the people and see how well put of a community Atkinson is.”
Hallstrom’s first shift as an Atkinson Police Officer came on Wednesday, Feb. 5. She will be mentored by Atkinson Police Chief Jimmy Collins until she is deemed ready to protect and serve the community on her own.