CHIEF OF POLICE
Axel Henry joined the Saint Paul Police Department in 1998, after serving three years with the Roseville Police Department. Over his past 24 years of service in Saint Paul, he has served as a patrol officer, sergeant, commander in Central District, and senior commander of the Eastern District from 2016 to 2019, where he led 105 personnel in service to Saint Paul’s busiest police district.
He previously served in command positions in the Office of the Chief and Family and Sexual Violence Unit and was logistics chief for Saint Paul’s emergency response at the start of the pandemic. Most recently, he served as the commander of Narcotics, Financial Intelligence & Human Trafficking, a position he has held since 2019. Through his array of assignments, he has command experience in every division.
Chief Henry spearheaded the City’s body-worn camera program, designed and led the Blue-Print for Safety Program, and has more than 20 years of experience as a trainer and use of force expert.
Chief Henry holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting, and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of St. Thomas. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Command College at FBI Quantico and University of Virginia Master’s Program, and the Wilder Foundation’s James P. Shannon Leadership Institute.
Contact Chief Henry
651.266.5588
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE
Paul Ford joined the Saint Paul Police Department in 1998 after serving nearly two years with the Mankato Police Department. Over his past 25 years of service in Saint Paul, he has served as a patrol officer, sergeant, DEA Task Force Officer, commander in the Western District & Canine Unit, and as executive officer to an assistant chief. He also served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division where he worked in support of the department’s efforts to address gun violence in our city.
Assistant Chief Ford was appointed by Governor Dayton as the law enforcement representative on the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission from 2011-2017, served as President of the Minnesota Police and Peace officers Association from 2012-2016 and currently is the Police and Fire Trustee on the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees.
Assistant Chief Ford is a proud East-sider and Harding graduate. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of St. Thomas.
Contact Assistant Chief Ford
Email: Paul.Ford@stpaul.gov
651.266.5500
DEPUTY CHIEF OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Deputy Chief Tim Flynn oversees the support and administrative functions in the department. Under his command are Technology Development & Implementation, Video Management, Human Resources, Forensic Services Unit, Property & Evidence, Impound Lot, Fleet, Backgrounds Unit, Special Operations Unit, SWAT, and Mobile Field Force.
Contact Deputy Chief Flynn
Email: Tim.Flynn@stpaul.gov
651.266.5500
DEPUTY CHIEF OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Deputy Chief Pamela Barragan oversees the new Community Engagement Division which includes Special Operations, Community Partnerships, our Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Unit, Grants Management, Recruitment and Youth Outreach and our Community Outreach And Stabilization Unit (C.O.A.S.T.), Training Unit, Health & Wellness, Military Liaison, LGBTQIA+ Liaison, and Employee Assistance Program.
Contact Deputy Chief Barragan
Email: Pam.Barragan@stpaul.gov
651.266.5500
DEPUTY CHIEF OF MAJOR CRIMES
Deputy Chief Josh Lego oversees the major crime investigation functions in the department. Under his command are Family and Sexual Violence, Homicide & Robbery, Special Investigations, Gangs, Narcotics & Vice, and ASPIRE.
Contact Deputy Chief Lego
Email: Joshua.Lego@stpaul.gov
651.266.5500
DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS
Deputy Chief Kurt Hallstrom oversees the operations functions in the department. Under his command are the three patrol districts (Central, East, West), Watch Commander, and Canine Unit.
Contact Deputy Chief Hallstrom
Email: Kurt.Hallstrom@stpaul.gov
651.266.5500