Minnesota’s 911 manager in Virginia? Investigation prompts calls for change to state remote work policy.

Two emergency managers with the State of Minnesota have left their leadership positions at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) after 5 INVESTIGATES raised questions about a telework agreement that allowed one of them to work full-time from the East Coast.

Sandi Stroud quit her six-figure job as Minnesota’s 911 Program Manager last week, eight months after moving to Virginia Beach.

Stroud is not accused of violating any state policies because her plan to work more than 1,300 miles from the office was approved by Dana Wahlberg, former director of Minnesota’s Emergency Communication Networks, a division of DPS. 

Wahlberg announced her retirement in March, as other leaders raised questions about her decision to approve Stroud’s telework agreement. 

Neither woman agreed to interview requests from 5 INVESTIGATES, but some state and local leaders say the arrangement raises larger questions abou...