Former Police Chief: Duluth Needs More Officers

While Duluth Mayor Emily Larson decides who should be the next police chief, the administration and elected officials on the council may want to get ready to start adding more officers on the street, according to former Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.

On his last day on the job Jan. 26, Ramsay talked to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about staffing levels.

He made it very clear more officers are need on the streets of Duluth and if Mayor Larson wants to continue strong community policing and proactive policing – especially with the strong rise in calls for service and mental health issues.

“We don’t want our officers to feel rushed. We want them to take their time. Talk through things, deescalate things, and not feel like I gotta get on to the next call. Now — do this now — or I will make you. We do not want that type of policing,” explained Ramsay when ask what could happen if the department does not get more officers.

Ramsay says there are 154 officers on the force, but that’s more like 146 because eight of the positions are grant funded and could be taken away at any time.
Ramsay believes a healthy Duluth Police Department requires 160 officers on the force.

He points to a 50-percent increase in mental health calls since 2007, and an increase of 60,000 calls for service since 1995 at 110,000 calls in 2015.