[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   HONORING ST. PAUL POLICE CHIEF TODD AXTELL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2022

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Chief Todd Axtell, upon 
his retirement on June 1 after more than 30 years of service to the 
City of Saint Paul Police Department including six years as Chief of 
Police. A dedicated and respected public servant, his leadership 
carried the department through many tumultuous times as he worked to 
build trust and transparency between the police and the Saint Paul 
community.
  Chief Axtell grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, and after pursuing a 
law enforcement degree landed a job with the Saint Paul Police 
Department in 1989. Throughout his time with the department, he worked 
in all three patrol districts, the gang unit, narcotics and special 
investigations. After 26 years with the department, Axtell was 
appointed Chief of Police by then Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman in 
June of 2016.
  As Chief, and throughout his prior leadership positions in the 
department, he worked toward three priorities--community engagement, 
diversifying the police department and addressing gun violence. He 
launched the Law Enforcement Career Path Academy to recruit a more 
diverse group of young people who would normally face obstacles to 
becoming a police officer, and started the Community Outreach 
Stabilization unit which pairs social workers with specially trained 
officers to work with people who are mentally ill, homeless or 
chemically dependent. He has been a consistent advocate for his 
officers but also held them to a high standard, overseeing increased 
training and transparency programs, and always being quick to 
acknowledge and respond to cases of misconduct.
  Well known for his desire to get to know the community he served, 
Chief Axtell is spoken of highly by the city's religious leaders, 
elected officials, and many local community groups representing the 
diverse population of Saint Paul. He has been a steadfast partner to 
many, and our community has benefited greatly from his steady 
leadership. Madam Speaker, please join me in rising to pay tribute to 
Chief Todd Axtell as he retires from the Saint Paul Police Department 
after more than three decades of public service, and in honor of his 
ongoing commitment to improving public safety.

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