I attended the Police Department's annual awards and recognition ceremony last night. Attending this event each year always reminds me how lucky I am to work in a city with such an outstanding Police Department. As I told the Department employees at event last night, we've got the best people, the best resources, supportive elected officials and, most importantly, the trust of the community. Eden Prairie is a good place to be a Police Officer, and that makes it a good place to live for our residents.
There were two big announcements at the event last night. Chief Dan Carlson (pictured above) made one and I made the other.
Chief Carlson announced his retirement. He will be retiring on January 26, 2007. He is leaving the Police Department to pursue his next stage of life in the Lutheran ministry. I won't go too far into that right now. I know that Dan plans to explain more about his plans in his blog and in the local newspapers.
Following the Chief's announcement, I made my big announcement. The next Chief of Police will be our current Deputy Chief Rob Reynolds. Not Interim Chief or Acting Chief. Rob will be the Chief. I will formally appoint Rob to his new job in January.
Rob's appointment will come as no surprise to anyone in the Police Department. He has prepared himself well to be successful as our next Chief of Police. He'll do a great job.
We'll have more time to talk about one Chief leaving and another one stepping up between now and January 2007. Until then, I offer my congratulations and gratitude to both men because they have helped to create and sustain what I believe is the best Police Department in the state of Minnesota.
Well done gentlemen.
June 14 update: links added to the new weblog of Deputy Chief Rob Reynolds.
