Mayor Coleman Names New St. Paul Police Chief
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Mayor Chris Coleman announced his selection for the new St. Paul police chief Monday. Assistant Chief Todd Axtell will begin his new position on June 23 if approved by the City Council.
"I am incredibly and deeply honored to serve as your next St. Paul police chief," Axtell said.
The job of top cop is one Axtell says he is ready to handle. Over the last 27 years, he's served as a St. Paul patrol officer, sergeant, commander and senior commander.
"My philosophy was simple. Get to know people before something bad happens. Build relationships and trust. It's a formula that's helped me in every aspect of my career," Axtell said.
Five finalists competed for the job. Coleman said he wanted someone who had demonstrated leadership in difficult situations, but also showed compassion.
"The second one was, was this person a person that understood the importance of community," Coleman said, "particularly in the city of St. Paul where community voices matter."
Axtell has a special interest in working with youth and expanding programs that teach kids what cops do. After he became an assistant chief three years ago, he had the motto "Service With Respect" put on the side of every new squad car.
"As I said during my interviews, I am a big believer in making regular deposits into the bank of trust," Axtell said, "because it's not a matter of if something controversial happens, but when."
St. Paul police officers are dealing with growing gun violence in the city as well as public criticism of use of force. This fall, St. Paul officers will be outfitted with body cameras for the first time.
"This is going to provide certainly some transparency throughout our community," Axtell said, "but again it's an opportunity for our officers to show the great work that they do on a daily basis as well."
