Yes, there is a New Chief in Town. Chief Reynolds formally assumed his new job yesterday. Rob is only the fifth Chief of Police in Eden Prairie’s relatively short history as an incorporated city. He follows in the footsteps of Chief Jack Hacking, Chief Keith Wahl, Chief Jim Clark, and, most recently, Chief Dan Carlson who retired last week.
The photo on the left was taken at a brief introduction ceremony at the 2pm roll call where I had the honor and privilege of “introducing” the new Chief to about 30 assembled patrol officers, dispatchers, records clerks, investigators and administrative assistants. I put the word “introducing” in quotes because Chief Reynolds is already well known in the Eden Prairie Police Department. He’s worked here for the past 21 years. He’s had a very wide variety of Police Department experiences as he worked his way slowly up the chain of command.
Before yesterday, his name was just Rob Reynolds. Now his name is Chief Rob Reynolds. Being a Chief of Police is one of those assignments in life that really does change a person’s persona. You are The Chief 24/7/365. Nobody calls me Manager Neal on a daily basis, but Rob will be Chief Reynolds every day of his working life from here on out.
Like his immediate predecessor, Chief Carlson, Chief Reynolds is also a blogger. I know he intends to make that a regular part of his job, as soon as he gets fully into the swing of things – which I bet won’t take too long for Rob.
Chief Reynolds knows his way around Eden Prairie. He knows his way around the Eden Prairie Police Department. He is committed to a high level of service to citizens by his employees. He is committed to bringing the benefits of innovation and technology to his department’s policing strategies. I am looking forward to working with Chief Reynolds. He’s going to do great work here.
