Wednesday marks the final day on the job for St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell, who has served in that capacity for the last six years and ends a 30-year career with the department.
Axtell, reflecting on his time as chief with WCCO Radio's Vineeta Sawkar on the Morning News last month said he’s proud of the team they built.
“We all came together to make sure that we focused on engaging our community at historic levels, “says Axtell. “Taking a look top to bottom at our use of force policies, and we increased the diversity of our department 33% and that’s one of the things I wanted to accomplish to be more reflective of and be more responsive to our community.”
Axtell announced back in October that he would not seek a second term. He looked back on the challenges over the last two years faced by his and other departments across the country.
“We have not only survived but thrived under very dynamic circumstances,” Axtell told WCCO. “The most difficult policing period in American history, with controversial police use of force incidents throughout the country, and specifically here in Minneapolis back in 2020.”
Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison will take over on an interim basis while the city searches for Axtell's permanent replacement.
Related
