Rosemount chooses new police chief

The city of Rosemount has spoken: Mitchell Scott will be its new police chief.

Scott, 48, of Farmington, has been with the Apple Valley Police Department for the past 17 years.

His most recent position has been captain in charge of patrol operations. He has supervised up to 48 employees and has management and budgeting experience.

He had been one of three finalists for the Rosemount job.

"I'm ecstatic," Scott said after the City Council voted him in at its meeting Tuesday night.

"In law enforcement, you position yourself to advance and improve your skills to meet the next level. When you achieve all those goals, then you want to achieve the highest goal you can."

That would be the chief's job.

Apple Valley Chief Jon Rechtzigel, and his colleagues have supported his decision to leave, he said, and are "extremely excited about the prospect of our two departments working even closer together than we have.

"I'm excited to go, but I will miss the city of Apple Valley and my fellow officers," he said.

Scott will be sworn in Aug. 19; his first full day as chief will be Aug. 20.

Rosemount Sgt. Bryan Burkhalter has been interim chief since Eric Werner left the job in early June to become police chief in Maple Grove.

In an interview a few days before he was chosen as Rosemount's top cop, Scott said:

Scott said he's dedicated to getting to know the community and planning for the future.

"I'm not looking for my first chief's job," he said. "I'm looking for my last chief's job. I'm here to make this my home."