Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) -  Rochester’s new police chief begins work Thursday.

James Franklin was recently selected to become the city’s top cop after a drawn-out process.

Franklin has been working as a Captain with the Minneapolis Metropolitan Transit Police. He will be the second chief to come from Minneapolis. Pat Farrell served as chief from 1986 - 1998.

Franklin was one of two finalists for the position that was left open after the retirement of long-time chief Roger Peterson. The process of hiring a new chief was delayed after an unexpected turn in May when a background check revealed one of the three finalists, Dallas Texas Police Major Roy Alston, had failed to disclose he had been the subject of a disciplinary action at a previous job. The Rochester Police Civil Service Commission then voted to drop him from the list of finalists. Alson made a personal pitch to the commission to overturn its decision but was unsuccessful.

Franklin is only the fourth police chief Rochester has had since 1949.

That’s when James Macken was appointed chief. He served until 1986 when Farrell was appointed. Peterson was appointed when Farrell retired in 1998.

A swearing-in ceremony for Franklin and new Fire Chief Eric Kerska will be held Monday.

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