It’s apparent the next Rochester Police Chief will be from outside the community.

3 finalists for the job have been chosen and none of them are current members of the Rochester Police Department, although 2 are from Minnesota. They were selected by an interview panel consisting of the Mayor, a member of the City Council, the City Administrator, a member of the Police Civil Service Commission, the city Human Resources Director and a community member following a months-long recruitment process.

Mark Elliot is the Police Chief of Prior Lake, while James Franklin is a captain in the West Command the Division of the Metropolitan Transit Police in Minneapolis. The 3rd finalist is Roy Alston. He holds a Ph.D. and is a Lieutenant with the Dallas Texas Police Department.

The 3 finalists will next participate in a community forum next Wednesday evening at the Mayo Civic Center, along with forums with members of the Rochester Police Department. The Rochester Police Civil Service Commission will then review all of the background investigation information on the candidates before certifying the list and presenting it to Mayor Ardell Brede, who is responsible for making the actual appointment.

Current Police Roger Peterson earlier announced his plans to retire in late April, just 2 months shy of the 20th anniversary of his appointment to the leadership position. Peterson has been a member of the Rochester Police Department since 1981.

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