Caledonia Argus

State pays insurance for former officer

Posted: 7/1/03

The State of Minnesota has issued a check to the city for $25,315 to cover the cost of health insurance for former Caledonia Police Officer Mark Coffield. That amount represents about two and a half years of premiums for the officer, who was injured July 1, 1999, as he responded to a domestic disturbance.

A police officer or firefighter hurt or killed in the line of duty is entitled to have health care premiums for him or his family paid on his behalf. Because Coffield worked for the city, the city paid the premiums and applied to the state for reimbursement, as provided for in Minnesota statutes.

However, earlier this year the city received a surprise when the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) rejected its request for reimbursement. The reason the DPS gave was that it did not have the money to reimburse the city for the premium.

Coffield, who worked as community development director after he could no longer do police work, left his job with the city in September of 2001 to work at The Caledonia Argus. He testified at the capitol twice in the past session to urge passage of legislation that would help cities and other government units get reimbursement from the state.

According to City Clerk Administrator Robert Nelson, the city will now be required to apply for reimbursement annually between July 1 and August 1 of each year. The Department of Public Safety will allocate a specific amount of money each year and if the fund runs short, the state will disburse the funds on a pro-rated basis.

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