City Of Plymouth issued the following announcement on Dec. 29.
Plymouth Public Safety Director/Police Chief Mike Goldstein will retire in late January after a landmark career in Plymouth that has spanned more than three decades.
Goldstein’s list of accomplishments includes developing inroads with schools, faith communities, community organizations and residents of all backgrounds. His areas of focus also include an elevated approach to officer hiring, wellness and training. He has bolstered the region’s ability to prepare and respond to critical incidents, established a mass emergency notification system in Plymouth, and has fortified the city to handle large-scale disasters.
“Under Goldstein’s leadership, the Plymouth Police Department has earned a reputation among residents, community organizations and law enforcement agencies, both neighboring and nationwide, for steadfast service, progressive practices and professionalism,” said City Manager Dave Callister.
While it has taken many hands to develop and foster the department’s reputation and culture, Goldstein has been the steady hand at the helm. And after 31 years serving the Plymouth community, Goldstein’s last day of work with the city will be Friday, Jan. 29.
Plymouth Through and Through
Raised in Plymouth, Goldstein has devoted his entire professional life to the city. He started as a high schooler curious about a possible career and worked his way to the top position with the Police Department. In 1984, as a senior at Armstrong High School, he joined Plymouth’s first class of Police Explorers – a group that provides young people a glimpse into the responsibilities of police officers serving their communities. From there, Goldstein went on to be a part of the first group of Plymouth Police Reserves, volunteering with the department while studying criminal justice and public administration at the University of St. Thomas.
In 1990, he was hired by then Police Chief Dick Carlquist as a full-time sworn officer with the Plymouth Police Department – badge number 32. With a population of about 30,000 less than it is today, Goldstein recalls a very different working environment back then, with much less technology and fewer than half of the ranks of the current department.
Throughout the years, the city grew, and Goldstein’s career grew along with it. He was promoted to sergeant in 1994, lieutenant in 2001, captain in 2003, police chief in 2004 and was named the city’s public safety director in 2015, when the Police and Fire departments joined under one umbrella.
“I chose to work for and stay with Plymouth because it’s what I know – it’s about having roots in the community and serving family and friends,” Goldstein said. “But it’s mostly about the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with – these are the women and men I want to be with, and I’ve never taken that for granted.”
An Accomplished Career
“During his time with Plymouth, Chief Goldstein’s leadership has set the tone – Plymouth prioritizes top quality public safety service without leaving any community members behind,” said Callister. “Throughout the region and beyond, Plymouth is recognized as a progressive department that continually searches for better ways to approach policing.”
Among Goldstein’s accomplishments are:
- Working with city and state elected officials to successfully advocate for the installation of cable median barriers on Interstate 494 and Highway 169 during his first year as police chief. At the time, there was an average of about two fatal cross-over crashes a year in Plymouth. Since the barriers were installed, there has not been a fatal cross-over crash on those roadways in Plymouth.
- Assisting in developing legislation that enhanced penalties for bringing weapons onto school campuses.
- Pioneering “Check Up from the Neck Up,” a mandated mental health check-in for first responders that has created a national conversation and trend along with other wellness programing.
- Collaborating with area school districts to develop comprehensive emergency operations plans for their campuses, students and staff. Further, initiating a regional response plan for mass casualty events across Hennepin County and beyond.
- Serving as president of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association. He has also worked to foster and develop strong relationships with many other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and organizations.
- Overseeing the development of Plymouth’s increased mental health initiatives, including the development of a Mental Health Evaluation Team, an on-staff social worker position, increased crisis intervention training and more.
- Enhancing transparency and public education through initiatives such as the Along for the Ride video program and the Community Collaborations Group, in addition to maintaining open communication with the community and media.
- Rallying to support the family of Bill Mathews – a Wayzata police officer who was struck and killed by a vehicle while on duty in 2017. Plymouth played a large role in providing memorial service logistics, which drew hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state.
- Responding to the opioid epidemic through partnership with other agencies, hosting conversations and town halls, and having Naloxone available for overdose emergencies.
- Working with community organizations such as Plymouth Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to support Plymouth veterans and the Rotary Club of Plymouth to establish Plymouth as a Heart Safe Community.
Goldstein’s guiding mantra remains a keystone in the way Plymouth approaches policing, and it is posted on plaques throughout the department: “If it is not illegal, immoral, unethical or against policy: Make it Happen.” That principle has helped create a safe community through high responsiveness and uncommon service.
“I’m still inspired to come into work every day,” he said. “We provide an amazing set of services to the community, and a major goal has been to create a culture where staff members feel supported so they can exercise their talents with confidence. I could not be prouder of the women and men who serve this department with pride and excellence every day.”
"If I could sum up in a word how I feel about the opportunity I’ve had to serve this community, it would be ‘gratitude.’” he added.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City Of Plymouth
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