HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. Deputy Chief of Police Oath of Office
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: June 7, 2022
AGENDA ITEM: Deputy Chief of Police Oath of Office AGENDA SECTION:
Presentation
PREPARED BY: Mikael Dahlstrom Chief of Police AGENDA NO. 3.a.
ATTACHMENTS: Oath of Office APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None
BACKGROUND
In early 2022, the police department opened a hiring process to fill a vacancy for the retirement of
Commander John Winters. Following an intensive hiring process that include multiple panel interviews, a
one-hour presentation to all staff, and a background investigation, Deputy Chief of Police Carson Thomas
was selected to start with the Department on May 9, 2022.
Carson’s journey to the City of Rosemount started at a very young age when he was adopted at the age of
6 months from Korea by his parents Clair and Mary Thomas. While his parents who were both originally
from the Midwest (Nebraska and Minnesota), the family ended up in California. After growing up in the
City of San Jose, Carson attended Trinity International University in Illinois. He completed his Bachelor of
Arts degree in Youth Ministry, with a minor in Theology, and headed back to San Jose where he spent
four years teaching and working with middle and high school students in various vocations.
In 2004, Carson made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement and was hired by the Newark
Police Department in California. In Newark, he had the opportunity to spend time on patrol, in the
schools as the Student Resource Officer, and as a member of the SWAT Team. In 2008, Carson became a
member of the Morgan Hill Police Department where he worked in a variety of positions over 13 years
with the last ten in a supervisory leadership role. Specifically, he was the Team Leader for the Morgan
Hill-Gilroy Regional SWAT team, he supervised the Special Operations and Detective Bureau, he was the
Lead Press and Informational Officer, Liaison to County and District Courts, member of the Critical
Incident Team, an active trainer in the area of de-escalation and use of force, and he was a voice and
advocate with an organization called “Living above the Influence” which was focused on minority youth in
the community and a member of his local Church. Further, Carson spent the last portion of his time with
the Morgan Hill Police Department in the role of Administration Sergeant; here, he earned experience
with fleet, training, internal investigations, purchasing equipment, and obliging state and federal mandates.
It is important to offer a few of the many leadership examples from his career to this point. In 2020 the
Santa Clara Unit Complex wildfire struck and torched approximately 396,000 acres across five counties;
the event lasted a total of 47 days in Norther California. Carson, in conjunction with the City’s Office of
Emergency Management and Morgan Hill Fire Department, was tasked to be the Chief Operational
Officer and oversee all disaster-related events. During the incident it was determined a portion of Morgan
Hill needed to be evacuated and 600 homes, totaling over 2400 people, were evacuated. Beyond the
evacuation, all the property and homes were monitored and protected during the evaluation period.
Similarly, while leading the Detective Bureau in the persons crimes division, Carson led a team of
2
detectives in solving a cold case murder that involved the death of an infant; a suspect was eventually
arrested in Spokane, Washington.
In terms of education, Carson brings with him a Master of Science degree in the Disciple of Justice Studies
from San Jose State University. Since his family’s move to Minnesota in the summer of 2021, Carson has
worked as a professor in the Criminal Justice department of Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN, and has
also helped develop and lead their campus security operations.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome our new Deputy Chief of Police Carson Thomas, and his family,
to the Rosemount Police Department family.
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF DAKOTA ) §
CITY OF ROSEMOUNT )
I, Carson Thomas, solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United
States and of the State of Minnesota, and faithfully discharge the duties of a Deputy
Chief of Police with the Rosemount Police Department in the County of Dakota and
the State of Minnesota, to the best of my judgment and ability. So help me God.
Carson Thomas
Subscribed and sworn to
before me this 7th day
of June, 2022.
Mayor William H. Droste