Cloquet police commander carey Ferrell said things have been extra busy at the department, where he is currently pulling double duty as patrol commander and acting chief while current police chief Jeff Palmer has been on voluntary paid leave for reasons that have yet to be revealed.

City administrator Aaron Reeves reiterated that he assigned Ferrell to “perform the duties and responsibilities of chief” after Palmer was placed on leave effective April 16.

According to the department’s policy manual, the order of command in the absence or availability of the chief is as follows:

(a) Pat...