Miner chosen as new deputy chief

A morning workout at the University Recreation Center and a nightly home-brewed beer: That’s how coworkers knew former Deputy Chief Steve Johnson at the University’s Police Department.

And, although Lt. Chuck Miner never picked up morning workouts or the intricacies of brewing, University police Chief Greg Hestness appointed Miner to fill the position that had been open since April.

Miner, a 13-year sworn officer for UMPD, has worked on almost every rung of the University police ladder.

Miner started his University career in 1995 as a patrol officer. In 1997 he was promoted to detective, then to sergeant two years later.

In 2002, Miner became one of two University police lieutenants, commanding half of the 46 current officers and answering only to the chief and deputy chief.

“He was able to gain experience in every single aspect of university policing,” said Bob Janoski, departmental director of the Central Security Office and a member of an interviewing panel for the deputy chief position.

“He’s excelled in all of those areas, so, clearly, he was the best candidate,” Janoski added.

Lt. Miner was the youngest candidate at 37, but Hestness said he believes that Miner’s organizational skills and broad experience made him the best man for the job.

Position finally filled

The deputy chief position opened April 30 when Deputy Chief Steve Johnson retired after 29 years of service with UMPD.

The University created a search committee to locate candidates. The committee, headed by Vice Provost of Student Affairs Jerry Rinehart , was a hybrid of Hennepin County and University police officers with representatives from other University departments like Housing and Residential Life .

The search brought 27 candidates, nine of which made it through to interviews, and two of which made it to an interview panel consisting of Hestness, Janoski and Dale Burke , a 29-year sworn officer with the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

The panel — and, ultimately, Hestness — chose Miner over the other finalist, Minneapolis police Lt. Medaria Arradondo, who was one of the five Minneapolis police officers who filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the Minneapolis Police Department in December 2007.

Hestness said that arranging all the interviews and preparing for both the Republican National Convention and the beginning of fall semester forced UMPD to put the appointment on the backburner.

Now, UMPD has a string of positions available. The department has the capability to expand to 53 sworn officers. Along with Miner’s former position, UMPD is creating another lieutenant spot to manage the growing force.

These promotions are the first UMPD has seen in five years.