The City of Bloomington announced on Thursday that Booker T. Hodges will be the next chief of police. He will be the first person of color to hold the position.
Hodges is currently the assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) where he oversees the Minnesota Patrol, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. Prior to his position at DPS, he served as chief of police in Prior Lake, undersheriff at Ramsey County, and sergeant at the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office.
“I am looking forward to working with the women and men of the Bloomington Police Department as we continue to build a department that will be the beacon on the hill as far as how we interact with the public and each other,” Hodges said. “I firmly believe law enforcement is the most noble profession on earth and we will continue to build on our public trust every day by being in alignment with our community. I am elated for this opportunity.”
Hodges’ experience includes being a patrol watch commander, a school resource officer, a narcotics detective, and a SWAT operator. He has supervised the work of professional standards, training, and staff development, internal affairs, and more.
He has a doctorate in public administration from Hamline University, a Master of Arts in public safety administration from St. Mary’s University, and a Bachelor of Science in criminology and political science from Florida Southern College. He was also once a writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder where he regularly filed a column entitled Booker T Investigates.
“I am excited for our community and our organization to get to know Dr. Hodges. His vision for a values-based organization that prioritizes community engagement and reflects our community will make our Department and our organization better,” said City Manager Jamie Verbrugge. “Bloomington residents value their sense of safety and I know Dr. Hodges shares that value.”
Hodges will lead the Bloomington Police Department, which has an authorized staff of 123 sworn officers and a total staff of 157 providing public safety and law enforcement services to the community. He will replace Interim Police Chief Mike Hartley who is retiring at the end of March.
Hodges will begin as Bloomington’s Police Chief on April 4.
—Information provided in part by the City of Bloomington.
Look for a story in the upcoming edition of the MSR.
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.