 Matt Bostrom, Assistant Chief of the St Paul Police Department, has formed a campaign committee to run for Ramsey County Sheriff today. That election will be held next year, not to be confused with the current election. Matt Bostrom has more than 27 years of law enforcement experience, handling some of the toughest assignments in the well-liked St Paul Police force. Matt will be running against the incumbent, Sheriff Fletcher, best known for his leadership role in the tarnished Metro Gang Strike Force and a litany of woes.
Matt Bostrom brings the strong community-focused policing that has been the hallmark of St Paul police. Indeed, Matt Bostrom has been well known in neighborhood community meetings, a role he does with ease and charm. As assistant chief of the St Paul police, Matt Bostrom has initiated many community outreach efforts. The St Paul police have long been known for partnering with neighborhoods in joint efforts to reduce crime by getting at root causes. St Paul is unique in that local people speak of positive experiences with their local police. For example, I feel that way because a St Paul police officer gave me a ride home in the middle of a snowstorm, when an accident had demolished my parked car. The peace community has long noted that the St Paul police stand out for fairness and reasonableness in managing peace protests, compared to all other metro law enforcement. It is these types of experiences that build community and trust in local law enforcement. |
| Matt Bostrom stands out in that he is truly a part of the community of St. Paul and Ramsey County, not just a person who commutes here. He lives in St. Paul's Lowertown neighborhood, where I have seen him shopping at the same farmer's market that I shop at. Many people know Matt through his coaching of young people in soccer, softball, baseball and football. Matt is a past president of Upper East Side (UES) football program, an outreach effort to connect positive adult role models with neighborhood boys who like athletics. The objective is to teach the important life lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Matt personally works on causes like Union Gospel Mission, Police Athletics and the United Negro College Fund. He is very active in his Cross Cultural Community Church.
And Matt stands out in his commitment to always improving the process of law enforcement. This commitment has led to a doctoral degree in public administration, as well as teaching as an adjunct professor at three local colleges. Matt's data-tested studies have led him to ways to hire people who are not prone to using racial-profiling. Based on his work, the St. Paul police shifted from experience-based hiring to character-based hiring. Character-based hiring looks at good judgment, self-confidence, honesty and reliability, as well as other essential characteristics. My favorite description from reading his character-based study was that law enforcement officers should be courageously calm. "Courageously calm" seems like a good description of what makes Matt Bostrom and the rest of the St. Paul police force so different and so well-liked in the community.
Saint Paul Police Assistant Chief Matt Bostrom Announces Formation of Campaign Committee for Ramsey County Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2009
CONTACT: J.R. Burke
(Saint Paul, MN) - Today, Saint Paul Police Assistant Chief Matt Bostrom filed his Registration and Statement of Organization with the Ramsey County Elections office. The Bostrom for Sheriff Committee has been formed to begin raising funds for a likely run for Ramsey County Sheriff in 2010. "This is an exciting first step in this campaign. I am confident that my commitment to professional public service and to the core values of protecting our citizens, partnering with the community, reducing neighborhood crime, practicing fiscal responsibility, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies are what the citizens expect from their sheriff," said Bostrom. "I have found that community changes everything and I am sincerely grateful for the widespread support I have received throughout the county from citizens, law enforcement professionals, and public officials."
Assistant Chief Bostrom's campaign committee co-chairs include: Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett, State Senator Mee Moua, and Saint Paul Police Chief John Harrington.
Matt is a native of Saint Paul. He grew up near Lake Phalen and graduated from Johnson High School. He has degrees from Northwestern College, the University of Saint Thomas, and Hamline University, and has more than 27 years of experience in law enforcement. Matt currently resides in the Lowertown neighborhood with his Cheryl, his wife of 27 years. Together they have three adult children: Emily (and husband Andrew) Grant, and Luke.
(from email)
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