Rosemount Police Chief Mitchell Scott talks with a city colleague during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new activity center in Rosemount. One of Scott’s goals is to be out in the community making connections with local leaders and residents to help strengthen the department’s relationship with the community. (Photo by Tad Johnson)
by Tad Johnson
Sun Thisweek-Dakota County Tribune
Dec. 3, 2014
Rosemount chief of police Mitchell Scott knows the power of a cookie.
When he was a young military police officer working night guard duty at a U.S. Air Force base, he was approached by the wing commander who was in his dress whites on his way to an evening gathering.
The commander stepped out of the darkness, handed Scott a cookie and thanked him for protecting the base.
The gesture was not lost on Scott, who says the encounter has influenced his leadership style today.
“You have to show the people who work for you that you care about them,” Scott said. “Then they will support you in hard times and good times.”
For the past four months since Scott was hired as the Rosemount chief he has had group and individual conversations with Rosemount officers and staff members, and he hasn’t stopped there.
He’s had countless interactions with community leaders and residents in neighborhoods throughout the city.
“I like to talk to people when the times are good, so they understand who you are,” Scott said. “That is going to help when something bad happens.”
Those conversations are also part of strengthening the multi-dimensional nature of law enforcement’s role in the community.
Being a police officer is different than it was 21 years ago when Scott began his civilian career as a Hennepin County deputy.
“We are no longer just police officers, we are first responders, counselors and social workers,” he said.
Often the first to arrive at any call for service, whether it be a disturbance, medical call or fire, police officers do more than just find the criminals and bring them to justice.
They deliver bad news if a loved one has died, they comfort victims and determine if they need medical or psychological assistance, they assess if homes they enter are unsuitable for children or if there are other underlying issues to address.
“We see people where they are at in their lives and get them the help they need,” he said.
Scott, a member of the One Rosemount community leaders group, said the monthly meetings have helped him connect with those in schools, churches and nonprofit organizations like 360 Communities that can help officers address the myriad issues they encounter.
“This generation of officers knows there is more than one way to get the job done,” Scott said.
The advent of special divisions and training to address domestic abuse, juvenile crime and illegal drug use are part of this increased emphasis to not only catch criminals but help victims.
Rosemount residents are taking notice of the Police Department’s efforts.
A 2014 community survey found that 96 percent of 400 local residents polled gave positive ratings to the department.
A near perfect 99 percent said they generally feel safe in their homes at night and 94 percent said they feel safe walking in their neighborhoods at night. A similar survey in the city of Hopkins in 2013 found that 86 percent said they feel safe walking in their neighborhoods at night.
Scott is pleased with such statistics, but he knows that maintaining that standard is a challenge, he said.
While he influences the daily mission of the department, he will have his chance to put another portion of his stamp on the department in the coming year as he is expected to hire two new officers after two senior sergeants retire.
One of the areas in which Scott is very well-versed is hiring new officers. As the patrol sergeant for 12 years in Apple Valley, he helped direct the process that resulted in the hiring of several officers in a few years.
Among the primary qualities Scott said he looks for in candidates are their experience and demonstrations of work above and beyond the call of duty.
“I think I had a good track record of making good hires there,” he said.
He will also have the chance to select the people who will fill the senior sergeant roles.
The ability for a chief to make such decisions throughout the organization was one of the attractive aspects of the Rosemount job.
Scott speaks highly of the Apple Valley Police Department, which is led by Jon Rechtzigel. Scott worked for 18 years in Apple Valley, the last 17 months as captain of field operations.
“There was more opportunity to shape and mold the future leaders of the department,” Scott said of the Rosemount move.
Many of Scott’s experiences overseas in the U.S. Air Force, as the only police officer in his organizational management class at Concordia University and even as a 17-year-old assistant grocery store manager, helped groom him for this leadership position.
“You have to do the right thing for the whole of the group even though it might not be in your best interest,” Scott said.
Beyond the badge
Many of Scott’s co-workers are happy that the predominant colors in his office aren’t the scarlet and white of the University of Wisconsin, but rather the crimson and cream of Scott’s home state of Oklahoma.
While the Badgers are border Big 10 foes, Oklahoma aims for its Big 12 gridiron goals in Norman, where Scott grew up just blocks away from the football stadium.
He said he could remember playing pickup games with his buddies on the famous football stage that played host to many future football stars.
His office is adorned with many OU trinkets, and even Scott’s soft drink of choice, Dr Pepper, sports the crimson and cream colors.
Some of Scott’s co-workers have had fun giving their boss gifts in homage to the Sooners, even as it’s been a down year for the squad.
Scott encourages officers to find such outlets outside of law enforcement, since the rigors of the work can be difficult to endure.
“Law enforcement should not define you,” he said. “Officers should find other activities and have friends outside of law enforcement. There is more out there than being a police officer.”
He said family was always the No. 1 priority of the Apple Valley Police Department, and it’s his No. 1 priority, too.
Family is the reason Scott has landed in Minnesota. He met his future wife, Angie, while he was a Air Force sergeant in Kuwait serving in the Gulf War and she was a teacher in Bloomington who sent a pack of letters to the soldiers that found its way to Scott.
Scott continued to write letters to Angie and their relationship developed to the point that when Scott returned from active duty he came to Minnesota and eventually married his pen pal.
It’s an unlikely connection that has led to a thankful result for Rosemount and Scott, who plans on being the chief of police for years to come.
Tad Johnson 