Chief Booker Hodges

Neighborhood Relations

Bloomington Police Department Chief Booker Hodges has worked as a school resource officer, patrol deputy, narcotics detective, SWAT operator, patrol overnight watch commander, inspector, undersheriff, acting chief deputy, an assistant public safety commissioner and now chief of police.

Prior to joining the Bloomington Police Department in April of 2022, he served with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the Lake Police Department and the Ramsey and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. He has led agencies ranging from 40 to 1,500 staff members.

Chief Hodges is the only active police officer in the history of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to serve as a branch president. During his five-year tenure as president of the Minneapolis NAACP, Chief Hodges was responsible for a landmark agreement to improve working conditions for employees of color and to diversify the Minneapolis Park Board. During his time with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Chief Hodges was responsible for the hiring that led to the Ramsey County jail becoming the first minority-majority staffed correctional facility in the State of Minnesota. Chief Hodges has been an unconscious bias instructor for 22 years and is a certified human resource manager.

Chief Hodges writes a column and is a member of the editorial board for Police1.com, the nation’s largest police news website. Chief Hodges earned a doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University, a master’s degree from Saint Mary’s University, and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College. Chief Hodges’ experience in community relations and law enforcement is unique and has given him a dual perspective on current events surrounding the law enforcement profession. Chief Hodges is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University in Saint Paul and president of the Northstar Chapter of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). In addition, he currently serves as the elected National Parliamentarian for NOBLE.

Full list of Chief Booker Hodges results

Why we need to talk about the blueprint for hate
–

People have formed an unfavorable opinion of our profession and it has become acceptable to harm and disparage those in law enforcement
3 conversations police must have with their communities about crime
–

As many of our neighbors grapple with high crime and an increased sense their safety is at risk, we must dig in and have some uncomfortable discussions
3 considerations for law enforcement when starting a mental health co-responder program
–

Identifying providers, conducting integrated training and establishing realistic expectations are critical steps
Opinion: Why getting offline could help us return to truth and unity
–

Sylvester McMonkey McBean is controlling our thoughts, and, at some point, we have to stop feeding him our time and energy
Policing needs alignment, not reform
–

Restoring relationships with our neighbors will require a commitment on both sides to honest and open dialogue
Not them, but us! Not they, but we! Not her/him, but me!
–

Law enforcement can either lead or be led on the issue of race in America
What I learned about policing from my social media fast
–

Community attitudes toward law enforcement are much different in real life from what we are led to believe online
Educate your community: 3 use of force core values for police
–

The more we explain to people why we do what we do, the better chance we have of turning around false narratives surrounding our profession
How to implement annual mental health checks for your officers
–

If we are going to eliminate the stigma of mental illness within our profession, it starts at the top
4 ways officers can improve neighborhood relationships
–

If you know more criminals on your beat than citizens you protect, that’s a problem – here are four ways to remedy that
IACP 2018 preview: Unconscious bias training for law enforcement
–

Unconscious bias training recently became mandatory for every police officer in Minnesota to take in order to maintain their peace officers license
What police unions do (and why it matters)
–

As labor unions brace for SCOTUS to rule in Janus v. AFSCME, here’s a reminder of the history, role and value of police unions
2 reasons cops should not respond to non-violent mental health calls
–

Society cannot expect police officers to handle mental health calls with the same expertise as mental health care professionals
How community-based enforcement will help close the trust gap
–

We need to try an enforcement approach that is tailor-made and designed by and for our specific communities
5 steps to cultivate diversity in law enforcement
–

Applying the concepts of farming provides a solid strategy for successful recruiting and retention in policing
Load More