Plymouth City Manager Dave Callister announced that Erik Fadden has been selected to fill the dual post of Plymouth public safety director and police chief, effective Monday, Feb. 1. A 16-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department, Fadden has served as deputy police chief since 2018.
Fadden will fill the vacancy that will be created when Public Safety Director and Police Chief Mike Goldstein retires at the end of January. Fadden’s appointment comes after an internal search.
As public safety director, Fadden will lead the Public Safety Department, which encompasses the Plymouth Police and Fire departments, as well as emergency management services. In the role, Fadden will be responsible for the overall administration, strategic planning and financial oversight of the Public Safety Department.
“Erik knows Plymouth well – both the community and the Plymouth Public Safety Department,” said City Manager Callister. “He’s well suited to lead the department as we look to the future.”
Fadden grew up in Plymouth, graduated from Wayzata High School and has devoted nearly all of his professional life to serving the community as a member of the Plymouth Police Department.
Fadden began his career with the Minnetrista Police Department in 2001 as a police officer. In 2004, he was hired by Plymouth Police Department as an officer. By 2009, he was promoted to police sergeant and in 2018 was named deputy police chief.
"Erik, along with the rest of the Public Safety leadership team, has been integral to building a forward-thinking organization. I’m confident that he and the women and men of the department will build upon the strong foundation that is in place,” Callister added.
“I’m honored to accept this position – and fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented people in the Police and Fire departments,” Fadden said. “We look forward to carrying on Plymouth’s tradition of professionalism, service, transparency and outreach as we serve the residents and businesses of Plymouth.”
Fadden said he looks forward to the challenges of leading the department, and noted that he will make time to mentor young people interested in pursuing careers as public safety professionals.
Fadden holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has also pursued professional studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. and the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, D.C.
