Eagan swears in Saleem Omari as police chief

Saleem Omari was sworn in as Eagan’s police chief at the City Council meeting on Dec. 2, taking the oath before the mayor, council and city staff.

City Administrator Diane Miller introduced Omari and outlined his background: a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in police leadership and administration from the University of St. Thomas, a career beginning in 2004 at the Bloomington Police Department, and service at the St. Paul Police Department since 2007 in roles including training, special investigations, SWAT leadership and patrol commander. Miller noted Omari was promoted to commander in 2020 and recently graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, where he received a leadership award.

“I call Salim O’Mari who will be sworn in as our police chief,” Miller said during the introduction. She described him as “nationally recognized as an IACP 40 under 40 honoree” and cited his appointments to the Minnesota Sentencing Guideline Commission.

In remarks after taking the oath, Omari thanked the council, city administrator and Eagan staff and said he was honored to lead the department. “You are the heart of this department,” he said, praising both sworn and civilian staff and promising to build on the department’s strong foundation.

Mayor and council members welcomed Omari and noted former chiefs in attendance. The council had formally appointed Omari to the post two weeks before the meeting; the swearing‑in was the public step that followed that appointment. The mayor and council encouraged the community to attend a planned meet‑and‑greet in January so residents can meet the new chief.