This Was Brainerd - May 17 A look through the Brainerd Dispatch archives with Terry McCollough combing the microfilm for tidbits of history through the decades going back to 1921. Written By: Terry McCollough | × The 1916 Brainerd police force, pictured here, included the following men: The plain clothes men at either end were Jack Brandt (left) and Ted Nesheim; (front row, left to right) Charles Varner, chief, and Tom Templeton. (Rear, left to right) Erick Graff, Hans Saude and August Swanson. Source: Brainerd Minnesota 1871 - 1971. Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch. MAY 17 20 years ago (2001) Yesterday was the start of what John Bolduc hopes is a long-term relationship with Brainerd. It was his first day as Brainerd's new police chief and he spent most of it unpacking and meeting people. He was impressed with his department, saying, “they strike me as very professional.”