City of Rochester, MN Police Department

06/14/2026

It was a great day celebrating Juneteenth with the community! Yesterday, members of RPD joined the festivities at Soldiers Field Memorial Park, connected with community members, and helped everyone stay cool by handing out popsicles. (Thank you, KempsCows, for donating the treats!)

Events like these provide an opportunity to build relationships, celebrate our community's diversity and enjoy time together. Thanks to all who stopped by!

06/13/2026

The second week in June is National Mechanics Week, officially known as National Automotive Service Professionals Week, and we’re proud to recognize the folks who keep our department running every day.

Combined, Keith and Scott have 45 years of experience maintaining and repairing our fleet, ensuring our officers have safe, reliable vehicles to serve the community. Already this year, they have fulfilled approximately 600 work orders.

Thank you!

06/12/2026

Join the Rochester Police Department (RPD) and Olmsted County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) as we celebrate Night to Unite, a community-building event that coincides with National Night Out.

Millions of people across the country will come together on Tuesday, August 4 to promote neighborhood unity and police-community partnerships in pursuit of safer communities.

Neighbors are encouraged to organize gatherings and register them at RochOlmstedUnite.com by Tuesday, July 28. Law enforcement officers from RPD or OCSO will visit as many neighborhood celebrations as possible. Other first responders, including Rochester Fire Department, will be visiting neighborhoods too.

Police Chief Jim Franklin shares, “Building a safer community starts with knowing your neighbors. Night to Unite is a prime opportunity to come together and strengthen our connections in support of a safer Rochester.”

Kevin Torgerson, Olmsted County Sheriff, adds, “The goals of Night to Unite and our Sheriff’s Office mission statement are intertwined, to promote and protect the well-being, safety, and security of all people in our community. We look forward to joining with our friends and neighbors again this year to work towards those common goals here in Olmsted County. We will see you in your neighborhood on August 4!”

Night to Unite is traditionally held the first Tuesday in August.

Sponsored by: Custom Alarm

06/11/2026

On June 10 around 6:00 p.m., officers responded to a condominium complex in the 500 block of 19 St NW on a report of a 79-year-old male in mental health crisis making threats to harm neighbors with a firearm. Officers secured the scene and began evacuating nearby residents for their safety. Crisis negotiators began speaking with the male by phone, and for the safety of community members and the male in crisis, SWAT/Emergency Response Unit was called to the scene. At approximately 11:00 p.m., the male was taken into custody inside his residence. A loaded firearm was located inside. The male was transported to the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic Hospital for evaluation. No injuries to the male in crisis, community members or law enforcement were reported.

06/10/2026

MISSING PERSON ALERT: The Rochester Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance locating David Searles, age 63 from Rochester. He is 5’5” tall, weighs 175 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. David was last seen on June 5 near the 500 block of N. Fillmore Street in Minneapolis and has not been seen or heard from by family or friends since. If you have seen David or know his whereabouts, please contact the Rochester Police Department at (507) 328-6800 or call 911.

06/10/2026

Way to go, Officer Cronk and K9 Finn! Congrats on your achievements in both narcotic detection and patrol work!

Congratulations are in order after a very successful USPCA Region 18 K9 Certification by the host agency, Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. In the coming days, we will highlight many of the achievements from our participants.

Tonight, we are proud to highlight a new award established this year, presented to the top canine team across both our April Narcotic Detector Trial and the Patrol Dog Trial that concluded today.

The inaugural recipient of this honor is Officer Cronk of the Rochester Police Department. Congratulations, Officer Cronk and Canine Finn, on this outstanding accomplishment!

06/10/2026

On June 9 around 9:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Broadway Ave. S, on a report of shots fired. A physical altercation occurred in a parking lot, a firearm was discharged and the involved individuals took off. No injuries were reported. The suspected shooter was identified as a 17-year-old male. Officers took him into custody during a traffic stop on June 10 around 12:15 a.m. A second suspect, a 17-year-old female, was also taken into custody during the traffic stop. Both were transported to the East Central Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Anoka County. Preliminary investigation indicates this incident was not random.

06/10/2026

😎Nothing says summer like Safe City Nights! Thank you to our residents, City and County partners and sponsors who joined us at Gibbs Elementary tonight. Safe City Nights is so much more than a public safety endeavor – it’s about community, conversation and bringing people together. See you next time on Tuesday, July 14 at Jefferson Elementary!

Thank you to our sponsors: Affinity Plus, Black Swan Living, Canadian Honker, Custom Alarm, First Student, Galleria at University Square, Kwik Trip and Mayo Clinic.

06/09/2026

Fishing, fun and mentorship came together at the Project MN Youth Outdoors Bass Classic at Chester Woods Park recently. Officers helped kids reel ‘em in and assisted the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office during a K9 demo. Thank you to Project MN Youth Outdoors and everyone who helped make the day a success!

06/08/2026

Don't miss out on Safe City Nights! Join us Tuesday, June 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Gibbs Elementary (5525 56th St NW) for community connection, fun and food! All are welcome to this free event!