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Eagan swears in five police officers; police chief announces retirement
Summary
The Eagan City Council held a swearing-in for five newly appointed police officers and accepted Police Chief Roger Neu's notice of retirement, with the chief set to leave later this year.
Mayor Newell presided over the June 17 Eagan City Council meeting where five new police officers were sworn in and Police Chief Roger Neu announced his intent to retire this fall.
The swearing-in honored officers Wade Anderson, Quentin Hayes, Austin Ream, Ethan Schafer and Trevor Wellman. Chief Neu introduced each officer and invited family members to participate in badge pinning before administering the oath.
The council and chief framed the ceremony as both a welcome to the new officers and a recognition of the department's recent weekend operations. Chief Neu thanked families for their support and noted the demands of long shifts and public scrutiny on officers.
After the oath, Chief Neu told the council he had decided to retire, saying he would depart sometime this fall after more than three decades with the department. "It has truly been an honor to serve the people of Eagan," Neu said, adding that he plans to remain on the job through the fall so the city can manage the transition.
Mayor Newell moved to accept Chief Neu's retirement/resignation and authorize his replacement; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. Chief Neu's effective departure date was described as "somewhere in October or November," and the mayor said the council will schedule additional recognition and transition planning before he leaves.
The swearing-in and the retirement announcement occurred during the recognitions and presentations portion of the council meeting. The council thanked Neu for "31 years of service" and welcomed the newly sworn officers, noting the ceremony underscores both continuity and leadership development in the department.
No contested or dispositive policy action tied directly to the retirement (such as appointment of an interim chief) was recorded at the meeting; the council's motion accepted Neu's intent to retire and authorized staff to proceed with replacement steps.
The council adjourned the recognitions and moved on to other business, including the consent agenda and public hearings.
