Meet the Police Chief

Kelly McCarthy was appointed Chief of the Mendota Heights Police Department in 2017. Prior to her employment in Mendota Heights, Kelly worked for the Lino Lakes Police Department, starting as a CSO in 1998 and a licensed officer in 1999. Kelly worked as a Training Officer, Detective, promoted to Sergeant in 2005, Captain in 2012, and Deputy Director of Public Safety in 2014.

In addition to graduating from Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights, Kelly has a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Education from the University of St. Thomas and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School where she studied Applying Behavioral Insights to the Design of Public Policy and Leadership Decision Making. Kelly is a graduate of the 235th session of the FBI National Academy.  Kelly was appointed Chair of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board by Gov. Walz and served from 2019-2023.

Having grown up in and around Mendota Heights, Kelly understands the importance of transparency and treating people with compassion and respect. When she was sworn in, her goal was to ensure that every MHPD Officer had the high level of support they needed to meet the high expectations of the community. Going forward, Kelly’s primary goal is to create a physical working environment that is conducive to serving the public in an effective and efficient manner of which officers can be proud.