City of Bloomington welcomes its next police chief

City Manager Jamie Verbrugge selected Dr. Booker T. Hodges to be the City’s next police chief. Dr. Hodges started in his new role on April 4.

“I am excited for our community to get to know Dr. Hodges. His vision for a values-based organization that prioritizes engagement and reflects our community will make our organization better,” Verbrugge said.  “Bloomington residents value their sense of safety, and I know Dr. Hodges shares that value.”

Dr. Hodges served as the assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Before his work at DPS, he served as the Prior Lake police chief, undersheriff in Ramsey County and sergeant at the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. He has also served as a patrol watch commander, a school resource officer, a narcotics detective and a SWAT operator.

Dr. Hodges has a doctorate in public administration from Hamline University, a master’s degree from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College.

“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,” Dr. Hodges said.

Hodges will be sworn in on April 11.