Blaine Police Department Welcomes Jocelyn Hazel, Strengthening the Backbone of Public Safety and Justice

The Blaine Police Department has welcomed Jocelyn Hazel as its newest Records and Evidence Technician, a civilian role that sits quietly at the center of the justice system but carries outsized importance for public trust, accountability, and due process. Hazel joined the department in late December and will divide her time between the records unit and the evidence and property room, two operational pillars that ensure cases move lawfully and efficiently from investigation to court.

Hazel is a May 2025 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she earned a double major in Criminal Justice and Communication Studies. The pairing is well suited to the demands of her position. Criminal Justice provides the legal and procedural framework that governs evidence handling, court preparation, and statutory compliance. Communication Studies equips her for the daily realities of records work, which include interacting with officers, prosecutors, courts, attorneys, and members of the public requesting data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

As a Records and Evidence Technician, Hazel will carry distinct but closely linked responsibilities. In the records unit, her work includes managing police reports, processing public data requests, and ensuring that citations and arrest records are accurately prepared for court proceedings. In the evidence and property room, she will catalog and safeguard physical evidence, maintain the chain of custody required for admissibility in court, and oversee the lawful return or disposal of property. While largely unseen by the public, this work forms the administrative and legal backbone of every criminal case.

“Joining a police agency has been a dream of mine since I was little,” Hazel said in a statement released by the department. “I have so much respect for the bravery this career demands.” A graduate of Forest Lake High School, Hazel brings local roots to the role. Forest Lake and Blaine are both part of the northern Twin Cities metro, and her familiarity with the area provides what law enforcement leaders often describe as institutional knowledge of the community she now serves. “I’ve always loved the community here, and I’m thrilled to officially be part of the Blaine PD family,” she said.

Hazel also spoke about the personal support behind her professional journey, thanking her parents and her partner for their encouragement. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and baking, including her self described signature chocolate chip cookies. She said she looks forward to giving back to a community that has already made her feel welcome.

The role Hazel is stepping into carries particular significance in a city like Blaine.

Blaine is one of the fastest growing suburbs in Minnesota, with a population exceeding 70,000 residents. It is also home to the National Sports Center, a regional landmark that draws millions of visitors each year and adds complexity to public safety operations. The Blaine Police Department is a full service agency with more than 70 sworn officers supported by a team of civilian professionals whose work allows officers to focus on patrol, investigations, and community engagement.

Police agencies nationwide face persistent pressure from what is often described as a paperwork bottleneck, where administrative demands pull sworn officers away from the street. By investing in trained civilian professionals like Hazel, the Blaine Police Department improves efficiency, strengthens compliance with legal standards, and reinforces public confidence in the system. Accurate records management and secure evidence handling are not auxiliary tasks. They are foundational to justice.

Department leadership welcomed Hazel to the team, emphasizing that her education, local connection, and commitment to service align with the department’s community oriented policing philosophy. As Hazel begins her career with the Blaine Police Department, her work will help ensure that the cases residents never see behind the scenes are handled with precision, care, and integrity, reinforcing the quiet but essential promise that public safety and justice depend on every day.

MinneapoliMedia