Weinkauf gets human rights award

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Police Commander Erv Weinkauf was surprised to get a phone call in late December from the New Ulm Human Rights Commission saying he won the 2001 New Ulm Human Rights Award.

The annual award is given to the person the commission feels has advanced the cause of human rights, said member Chris Olson. The commission chose Weinkauf because of his years of service to the community and the physically disabled.

Weinkauf became a New Ulm police officer in 1974. He has since served on several different community groups, including Healthy Communities Healthy Youth, the Family Violence Commission, Working Together To Stop Rural Violence and the New Ulm Youth Wrestling Association.

Weinkauf has also worked to establish cultural diversity training in the New Ulm Police Department. He said the debate over racial profiling is one law enforcement needs to take seriously.

"It's always been a concern of mine that people are treated fairly," he said. "It doesn't matter what age, race, or gender. People should be respected."

Weinkauf will receive the award during a reception at the Lind House in New Ulm on Jan. 21.

"He's a wonderful role model and an example of what the award signifies," Olson said.