Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison tapped as St. Paul’s interim police chief

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has announced who will be the city’s interim police chief.

Wednesday morning, city leaders announced current Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison will replace Todd Axtell, the city’s current Police Chief, after he retires and before a permanent replacement is found.

According to the city’s website, Ellison oversees support and administrative functions in the police department, and commands multiple areas, including the Forensic Services Unit, Backgrounds Unit, Training Unit, Military Liaison, the LGBTQUI+ Liaison, Video Management, Technology Development and Implementation and others.

The city says Ellison joined the department as a Park Ranger in 1999, and was hired as a police officer the following year. He received a bachelor’s degree at Metro State, a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and finished the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University.

Axtell announced last October he wouldn’t pursue a second term when his current term ends in June. He has served on the department for more than 30 years.

RELATED: St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell announces he is leaving department next summer

A search committee has been formed to find a permanent replacement. Ellison said he doesn’t plan to seek the permanent job.

St Paul PD Deputy Chief Jeremy Ellison named interim PD chief by Mayor Melvin Carter—he will not put his name in to be the permanent Chief. Mayor Carter says a search firm will start looking for a Chief—hopes to appoint a permanent Chief by late summer. @kstp pic.twitter.com/neiFc95X4o

— Eric Chaloux (@EricChalouxKSTP) May 4, 2022

RELATED: City announces names of St. Paul police examining committee members

The committee will review position applications, do interviews, and recommend five candidates to Carter.

Carter will then choose a new police chief, whose term will last for six years starting in June 2022.

Axtell’s last day is Wednesday, June 1. According to the city, Ellison will take over as Interim Chief at 5 p.m. that same day.

“I’m grateful for Chief Axtell’s three decades of service to our city, and his leadership of our department these past six years. As we work to select our next permanent leader I’m confident that Deputy Chief Ellison will serve our department and city with distinction,” said Carter in a prepared statement.