Title
Approving the appointment of Todd Axtell to be Chief of Police.
Body
WHEREAS, with the retirement of Chief Thomas Smith on May 10, 2016, there was a vacancy created in the position of Chief of the Saint Paul Police Department; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 12.12 of the Saint Paul City Charter and Chapter 8 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code, the City Council established minimum qualifications for the position and appointed a 32-member community-based Selection Committee; and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Todd Axtell applied for the position and was among the five best qualified candidates forwarded to the Mayor by the Selection Committee for his consideration; and
WHEREAS, Todd Axtell earned a B.S. in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University and a M.A in Police Leadership, Administration and Education from the University of Saint Thomas; and
WHEREAS, Todd Axtell is a 27-year veteran of the Saint Paul Police Department, having served as a patrol officer, sergeant, commander, senior commander and assistant chief; and
WHEREAS, Todd Axtell has a long record of community service and is currently serving on the boards of directors of the Saint Paul YWCA and Visit Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, Todd Axtell is deeply committed to building trusting relationships between the Saint Paul Police Department and its many community partners; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Chris Coleman, after reviewing the recommendations of the Selection Committee, hosting two candidate forums in the community and interviewing each of the candidates, has appointed Todd Axtell as Chief of Police; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council consents to the appointment of Todd Axtell as the Chief of the Saint Paul Police Department.