HomeMy WebLinkAboutEPD_NelsonPoliceChief
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Martin, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nelson promoted to Police Chief of Edina
Edina, Minn., Jan. 31, 2014 – Former Deputy Police Chief Dave Nelson was promoted to Police Chief on
Jan. 30, succeeding Jeff Long’s departure in mid-January.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from the Department and the community,” said Nelson about
his new role as Police Chief. “I’m honored to have this opportunity and am really looking forward to it.”
Nelson, who grew up in Bloomington, graduated from Normandale Community College in 1983 with an
associate’s degree in law enforcement. He started his career with the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office as a
patrol deputy, where he primarily served the city of Andover. Two years later Nelson joined the Edina Police
Department as a patrol officer where he spent three years as the first full-time School Liaison Officer. Nelson
also spent five years on the SWAT team and as an advisor to Edina/Eden Prairie Police Explorer Post 925.
Shortly after graduating from Metro State University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,
Nelson filled a full-time detective position primarily handling fraud and forgery cases, before getting promoted
to Sergeant in 1999. By 2008 Nelson was serving as Lieutenant where he oversaw investigations, before his
transfer to oversee the patrol unit. The following year he spent 10 weeks in Quantico, VA at the FBI National
Academy taking a staff and command course.
In 2010 Nelson was promoted to Deputy Police Chief.
“I am looking forward to Dave serving as our new Chief,” said City Manager Scott Neal. “He is an
experienced law enforcement professional with a good sense of what the Department needs right now to
move forward.”
Nelson said as he settles into his new role he’s going to focus on staffing levels, due to several upcoming
retirements in the Department. Another of his goals is to look for ways for the Department to work more
efficiently, whether it’s improving customer service or implementing new technologies.
“I’ll always be looking for ways to improve what we do,” he said. “Edina is my home. I’m very happy here.”
For more information, contact the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610.
-30-