St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s office has announced five finalists in the city’s search for the next police chief.
The finalists include four in-house candidates and one outsider. Current interim chief of police Jeremy Ellison is not among the finalists.
"Selecting a police chief is one of the most critical decisions a community must make,” Mayor Carter said in a statement. “While I look forward to learning more about all of the finalists, our City is blessed to be served by a department with such strong internal candidates.”
Dr. Jacqueline Bailey-Davis is the lone candidate from outside the department. Bailey-Davis currently serves as Police Staff Inspector in the Standards and Accountability Division/Audits and Inspections Unit for the Philadelphia Police Department.
The four finalists from inside the department are: Assistant Chief of Police Stacy Murphy, Unit Commander for Community Partnerships Pamela Barragan, a Senior Commander in the Eastern District Kurtis Hallstrom and Axel Henry, the Commander for the Narcotics, Financial Intelligence, and Human Trafficking Division.
All four of the in-house finalists have been with the department for at least 20 years.
“I am grateful for this diverse committee’s diligent work in reviewing the applications and interviews of candidates,” Sasha Cotton, co-chair of the Saint Paul Police Chief Examining Committee said in a statement. “These five finalists are great candidates; I am confident the City will be well served by its next chief of police.”
Members of the community will have opportunities to speak with the five finalists at two public forums. The public forums are scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, at 6 p.m., at Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice Street, and Wednesday, October 12, at 11:30 a.m., at Saint Paul Event Center, 400 Wabasha Street North, Suite 320. The events are free, open to the public, and will be livestreamed on the City’s Facebook page.
The mayor also invited community members to provide feedback and submit interview questions by email at Mayor@ci.stpaul.mn.us by the start of the first public forum.
“We engaged in a vigorous review to ensure we presented the best candidates for our community’s next chief of police,” Kathy Lantry, co-chair of the Saint Paul Police Chief Examining Committee, said in a statement. “As a longtime public servant in Saint Paul, I know these candidates reflect our shared community values. I look forward to the next steps in this process.”
Here are details on each of the candidates.
Dr. Jacqueline Bailey-Davis
Dr. Jacqueline Bailey-Davis became a uniformed officer for Philadelphia Police Department in 1997, and currently serves as Police Staff Inspector in the Standards and Accountability Division/Audits and Inspections Unit. She conducts audits and inspections of all departmental policies and procedures, develops standard operating procedures for the unit, and serves in an advisory capacity to line and investigative operations. Dr. Bailey-Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in education from Lincoln University, and a doctorate in public administration from West Chester University.
Pamela Barragan
Pamela Barragan became a uniformed officer for the Saint Paul Police Department in 1996 and currently serves as Unit Commander for Community Partnerships. In addition to managing sworn and civilian staff, she is also responsible for establishing and maintaining new and existing partnerships with governmental and private organizations and fosters positive relationships between the police department and the community. Barragan holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Inver Hills Community College and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Quito, Ecuador.
Kurtis Hallstrom
Kurtis Hallstrom became a uniformed officer for the University of Minnesota Police Department in 1996 and joined the Saint Paul Police Department in 1999. He currently serves as a Senior Commander responsible for the leadership and management of the Eastern District. Hallstrom holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from North Dakota State University, a master’s degree in police leadership at the University of St. Thomas.
Axel Henry
Axel Henry became a uniformed officer for the Roseville Police Department in 1995 and joined the Saint Paul Police Department in 1998. He currently serves as Commander for the Narcotics, Financial Intelligence, and Human Trafficking Division. Henry received his bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting, and master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of St. Thomas.
Stacy Murphy
Stacy Murphy became a uniformed officer for the Saint Paul Police Department in 2002 and currently serves as Assistant Chief of Police. She oversees day-to-day operations of 563 sworn employees, 159 civilian staff, and 92 volunteers. Murphy holds an associate's degree in law enforcement from the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She also has a certificate in leadership from Century College and a certificate in emergency management from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management program.
