St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry: A Factory Floor Approach to Fighting Crime
Chief Axel Henry's six-year tenure as St. Paul police chief has seen a significant decrease in murder rates, with the city now boasting one of the lowest rates in the nation. But the road to this success was not an easy one, and Henry attributes much of his department's progress to a "factory floor" approach that prioritizes connection with officers on the ground.
When Henry took over as chief six years ago, he inherited a department facing significant challenges, including high murder rates and inadequate staffing. The city's charter requires police chiefs to serve six-year terms, which can make it difficult for new mayors to inherit a current chief. This meant that Henry had to navigate not only the complexities of policing but also the changing landscape of local politics.
One key area of focus for Henry has been solving non-fatal shootings, an issue he believes is critical in reducing overall violence. The department's non-fatal shooting unit, launched in January 2024, has seen a significant increase in clearance rates, with 69% of cases solved last year compared to just 37% in 2023.
However, Henry also acknowledges that some areas remain more challenging than others. One example is the issue of ordinances that are "clearly antiquated and no longer enforceable," which he believes should be updated or repealed to reflect changing community needs.
Staffing remains a pressing concern for the department, with an authorized strength of 616 officers but only 559 currently on duty due to retirements and departures. Henry has implemented new recruitment and retention strategies, including hosting international training programs like the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference.
Henry's approach is often described as "factory floor" because he prioritizes connection with his officers and the community they serve. He believes that if police are seen as part of the solution rather than just the problem, they can become more effective at preventing crime.
In an effort to build trust and foster relationships with the community, Henry has made public appearances and hosted events like the recent dedication ceremony for a station renamed in honor of slain officer Ron Ryan Jr. He also credits his "service with purpose" mantra, which emphasizes the importance of police officers' role in keeping citizens safe.
For Henry, one personal reminder of the impact of policing is the story of Bao Yang, a nurse who was shot and killed by her abusive partner. The memory of her serves as a constant reminder of why he works to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Despite facing challenges, including public criticism and pressure from politicians, Henry remains committed to his vision for the St. Paul Police Department. His dedication has earned him recognition from local leaders like Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, who praised his efforts in keeping people informed during a recent immigration raid.
Henry's approach reflects a broader shift in policing philosophy, one that prioritizes community engagement and proactive prevention over reactive law enforcement tactics. While the road ahead will undoubtedly be long and challenging, Henry is confident that his department is on the right path and is committed to making St. Paul an even safer place for its citizens.
Chief Axel Henry's six-year tenure as St. Paul police chief has seen a significant decrease in murder rates, with the city now boasting one of the lowest rates in the nation. But the road to this success was not an easy one, and Henry attributes much of his department's progress to a "factory floor" approach that prioritizes connection with officers on the ground.
When Henry took over as chief six years ago, he inherited a department facing significant challenges, including high murder rates and inadequate staffing. The city's charter requires police chiefs to serve six-year terms, which can make it difficult for new mayors to inherit a current chief. This meant that Henry had to navigate not only the complexities of policing but also the changing landscape of local politics.
One key area of focus for Henry has been solving non-fatal shootings, an issue he believes is critical in reducing overall violence. The department's non-fatal shooting unit, launched in January 2024, has seen a significant increase in clearance rates, with 69% of cases solved last year compared to just 37% in 2023.
However, Henry also acknowledges that some areas remain more challenging than others. One example is the issue of ordinances that are "clearly antiquated and no longer enforceable," which he believes should be updated or repealed to reflect changing community needs.
Staffing remains a pressing concern for the department, with an authorized strength of 616 officers but only 559 currently on duty due to retirements and departures. Henry has implemented new recruitment and retention strategies, including hosting international training programs like the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference.
Henry's approach is often described as "factory floor" because he prioritizes connection with his officers and the community they serve. He believes that if police are seen as part of the solution rather than just the problem, they can become more effective at preventing crime.
In an effort to build trust and foster relationships with the community, Henry has made public appearances and hosted events like the recent dedication ceremony for a station renamed in honor of slain officer Ron Ryan Jr. He also credits his "service with purpose" mantra, which emphasizes the importance of police officers' role in keeping citizens safe.
For Henry, one personal reminder of the impact of policing is the story of Bao Yang, a nurse who was shot and killed by her abusive partner. The memory of her serves as a constant reminder of why he works to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Despite facing challenges, including public criticism and pressure from politicians, Henry remains committed to his vision for the St. Paul Police Department. His dedication has earned him recognition from local leaders like Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, who praised his efforts in keeping people informed during a recent immigration raid.
Henry's approach reflects a broader shift in policing philosophy, one that prioritizes community engagement and proactive prevention over reactive law enforcement tactics. While the road ahead will undoubtedly be long and challenging, Henry is confident that his department is on the right path and is committed to making St. Paul an even safer place for its citizens.
but it raises questions about whether other cities are adopting similar strategies. I think it's cool that he's getting recognition from local leaders, but what if his approach isn't scalable? How can other departments replicate this model on a bigger scale? 
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The dedication and commitment shown by Chief Henry is truly inspiring, especially when considering all the challenges he's faced 
However, I do feel bad for the community that still has to deal with antiquated laws and staffing issues. 
69% clearance rate for non-fatal shootings last year is pretty impressive, shows that they're making progress in solving these cases.
Axel Henry's factory floor approach is kinda cool, but also a bit weird. I mean, who says you have to just follow orders like a robot on the police force? 
But seriously, it's awesome that he's prioritizing community engagement and connection with officers on the ground. Like, if the cops can actually relate to the people they're supposed to be protecting, maybe we'll see some real change in crime rates... 
. seriously though, I think it's great that he's focusing on building trust with the community and making the police more proactive in preventing crime. but have you seen those police uniforms? they look like they were designed by grandma 
. anyway, 69% clearance rate for non-fatal shootings is pretty impressive - maybe we should start calling him 'Operation Hero' 
. and staffing issues aside, I'm glad he's pushing for updates to antiquated ordinances - it's about time our cities caught up with the 21st century 
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And I love how he's not just focusing on the big picture but also on individual stories like Bao Yang's - it's those personal connections that make all the difference in making people feel safe again...