GRAND FORKS — After more than 45 years patrolling the streets of Grand Forks, Sgt. Kevin Kallinen is retiring from the Grand Forks Police Department.

Last September, Kallinen broke the agency's record for longest-tenured sworn employee and, in March, he celebrated 45 years with the agency. Around that time, he spoke with the Herald about his lengthy career as a police officer, which he attributed in part to an ability to remain calm under pressure and not let negative comments affect him.

"I've told a lot of people (who are) starting out, 'Don't take things personally, especially when you're in uniform,'" he said at the time.

Kallinen got his start in law enforcement at age 20, when he joined the Red Lake County Sheriff's Office. He accepted a GFPD position within a year, and never le

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