RELEASE
May 4, 2022
Contact:
Kamal Baker
kamal.baker@ci.stpaul.mn.us
763-381-1335
Mayor Carter Announces Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison to Serve as Interim Police Chief
Ellison to Serve as Interim Chief Starting June 1 at 5pm, As Chief Todd Axtell Transitions Following More than Three Decades Of Service With the Saint Paul Police Department
SAINT PAUL, MN - Today, Mayor Carter announced that Saint Paul Police Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison will serve as Interim Chief of the Saint Paul Police Department as Chief Todd Axtell steps down following three decades of service with the Saint Paul Police Department.
“I’m grateful for Chief Axtell’s three decades of service to our city, and his leadership of our department these past six years,” said Mayor Carter. “As we work to select our next permanent leader I’m confident that Deputy Chief Ellison will serve our department and city with distinction.”
“Jeremy embodies all of the attributes our department needs," said Chief Axtell. "He values community engagement, diversity, transparency, accountability and innovation. Throughout his career, he has served with the utmost integrity, compassion and humility. He is a natural leader. Our department is in good hands."
“I’m honored for the opportunity to serve our community as Interim Chief of the Saint Paul Police Department,” said Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison. “Under Chief Axtell’s leadership, our officers have continued to rise to meet the needs of our community every day. I look forward to serving in this role, and working with the women and men of our department to support the vital work we do in service to our city.”
Chief Todd Axtell’s last day as Chief will be June 1, and Deputy Chief Ellison will begin serving as Interim Chief at 5:00 p.m. that same day.
ABOUT DEPUTY CHIEF JEREMY ELLISON
Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison joined the Saint Paul Police Department in 1999 as a Park Ranger, before being hired as a police officer in 2000. He has a bachelor’s degree from Metro State and a master’s degree in leadership, administration, and education from the University of St. Thomas, and completed the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. He is currently the Deputy Chief of the Support Services division.
Ellison has worked in a variety of assignments throughout his career, including patrol, investigations (including several federal task forces), and administrative assignments.
Ellison has been heavily involved in traffic safety throughout his career. Previously he served as the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Enforcement Grant coordinator for the department. In that role, Ellison worked closely with community members and other City departments on the Stop For Me pedestrian safety campaign. He continues to work on and is passionate about making roads safer for all modes of transportation. He has received numerous letters of recognition, two medals of commendation, and a medal of merit.
ABOUT THE CHIEF OF POLICE HIRING PROCESS
The Department of Human Resources is in the process of contracting with a firm to conduct a national search to select the next Saint Paul Police Department Chief. The Saint Paul City Council Police Chief Examining Committee, co-chaired by Kathy Lantry and Sasha Cotton, will begin meeting in the coming weeks, and will present a slate of finalists to the Mayor.
To learn more about the work of the Committee please visit www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council#saint-paul-chief-of-police-vacancy.
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