Edina Police Chief Jeff Long Leaving for Lakeville Job

Jeff Long has accepted the job of Lakeville police chief after more than 20 years of service in Edina as a community service officer, patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief and—since 2012—police chief.

“This has been my home,” Long said. “I grew up here. I raised my family here. I’ve owned a couple homes here. So it’s really sad for me to leave. It almost feels like you’re leaving your family to go away to college or something like that.”

Long will leave for Lakeville on Jan. 20, leaving the department in the hands of Deputy Police Chief Dave Nelson, who will serve as interim chief while the city determines whether to conduct an internal or external search for the department’s new leader.

In Edina, Long has forged relationships with community institutions including the Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce and the school district.

Beyond solving blockbuster crimes such as home invasion robberies, Long said he was most proud of a 2010 initiative to counteract distracted driving among the city’s youth.

In Lakeville, he said, he hopes to build on what he’s learned about community partnerships.  

“They’re a quickly growing suburb with a lot of growth potential,” he said. “With about ten years left in my career, I was looking for something to challenge me a little bit and allow me to do more mentoring and providing more direction.”

Long’s diverse background in operations, including tactics, management, and community policing, was part of what made him attractive to Lakeville.

"Chief Long’s ability to build relationships and rapport within his department as well as in the community, were qualities we looked for,” Lakeville Mayor Matt Little said in a statement. “He has a track record of partnering with the community and pro-active approaches to law enforcement.”