Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Today is the final day on the job for longtime Rochester Police Chief Roger Peterson. He announced last year he intended to step down and during an appearance on the Rochester Today Show on KROC-AM Monday, Peterson cemented his retirement plans by announcing his new fishing boat was ready for action.

His departure comes just two months shy of the 20-year anniversary of his appointment to succeed former Police Chief Pat Farrell in 1998. Peterson joined the Rochester Police Department in 1981 and by the mid-1980’s he was promoted into investigations and then became Deputy Chief of Operations.

The law enforcement profession has undergone enormous changes during Peterson’s long career in Rochester. He started on patrol in a squad car equipped with only a two-way radio. As Police Chief, he oversaw the adoption of a high-tech computerized analytics police intelligence system that provides each officer with instant access to pertinent information about criminal suspects and/or incidents through high-speed computer connections inside their police vehicles.

It had been hoped Chief Peterson’s replacement would have been named by now, but a delay in completing the background checks on the finalists for the position means an announcement is likely weeks away. Mayor Ardell Brede has named Police Captain John Sherwin to serve as the interim chief until Peterson’s permanent successor is on the job.

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