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Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken Retires After More Than 30-Years of Service

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken announced his retirement in a press conference on June 8, 2022. Chief Tusken’s last day with the Duluth Police Department will be August 1, 2022. He has been serving the citizens of Duluth, his hometown, since April 27, 1992.

“It has been the honor and privilege to serve with the citizens of my hometown for more than 30 years-with the last six years as Chief of Police,” said Chief Mike Tusken. “I am inspired to walk among the people of DPD who serve with nobility, honor, and courage. We understand that community safety requires a trusted community partnership. It is this partnership that we honor and cherish and is woven in to the fabric of our organization. I am excited to see new leaders ascending at DPD to lead this proud organization to the next level and knowing the community will be an engaged partner in the evolution ensures our future success.”

Chief Tusken moved up the ranks within DPD starting as a Patrol Officer, Juvenile Investigator, Patrol Sergeant, Investigative Sergeant, Lieutenant/Area Commander, and Patrol Deputy Chief. In May 2016, Mayor Emily Larson appointed him Police Chief. Chief Tusken was the 36^th Police Chief since the Department’s inception in 1870.

"Having Mike Tusken serve as our Police Chief has been an absolute dream as a Mayor," said Mayor Emily Larson. "Mike is a trusted, steady leader who elevates everyone around him. He leads with heart, empathy, courage and a true belief in the power of policing to make people’s lives better and our communities safer.

Chief Tusken has never shied away from the important, tough questions of transparency and accountability; in an era where we must all have a critical eye on policing strategies and expanding trust within our community, Chief Tusken has been of incredible service and value to Duluth.

“One of the best decisions I have made as Mayor was to select Mike Tusken as our Police Chief,” said Mayor Emily Larson. “I will miss his big laugh, bigger heart, and his selfless service and dedication to Duluth. Additionally, I wish to extend my personal thanks to Mike’s family for their own service and sacrifice in support of Duluth and I wish Mike, Kathy and the whole Tusken family the very best."

During Chief Tusken’s tenure at DPD he was responsible for a variety of innovative initiatives. These include developing the COMPSTAT Program, which tracks crime trends and patterns to reduce crime and calls for service; creating a performance management system; integrating CODE4, which is a community outreach engagement vehicle to help meet people in their places and spaces; increasing community policing, which is responsible for building strong relationships within the community to reduce crime; migrating a new Records Management System to drive efficiencies and safety; changing patrol and investigative schedules to enhance customer service and response times; equipping every patrol officer with Naloxone, the lifesaving drug of those suffering from an opiate overdose; began a less-lethal initiative, giving officers an opportunity to control a situation without the use of deadly force, and sustained double-digit reductions in violent crimes. 

He has also served on multiple boards and committees to include: The Executive Board for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community Relations Advisory Council to the Minnesota Police Officers Standards and Training Board.

Chief Mike Tusken’s passion for law enforcement doesn’t end with his service at DPD. He was selected to be the Law Enforcement Program Coordinator of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College’s (FDLTCC) Law Enforcement Program where he will continue to instruct new law enforcement students.

“This profession has given me a lot and I look forward to continuing to give back and inspire people about the nobility of the profession of law enforcement and how good policing has a tremendous impact on the people in our communities in which they live, work, and play,” said Chief Mike Tusken. “Teaching the future of policing has always been a passion of mine and I had the honor to teach multiple officers who currently work at DPD.”

During the transition period, an Interim Chief of Police will be announced closer to Chief Tusken’s departure. The hiring process for a new Police Chief will begin in the next few weeks. The position will be an open hiring process for both internal and external candidates, staying open for 30 days. Qualified candidates will go through a robust hiring process, which includes interviews and a public community event.

"I want to thank Mike for his 30 years of service in the Duluth Police Department and congratulate him and his family on his retirement," Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman said. "I am grateful to have worked with and learned from Mike. He has always been an incredible voice for DPD and the City's leadership team, and while he'll be sorely missed, we wish him all the best in retirement. The City will post the job soon and encourage any and all qualified candidates to apply. We look forward to engaging the community in that process and will post more information regarding that as we are able."

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