Falcon Heights votes to contract police from Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - At a city council meeting on Wednesday, the City of Falcon Heights voted to replace the St. Anthony Police Department with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office in 2018.

The city's contract with Ramsey County will take effect January 1, 2018.

“I think this is a good step for our community, we will be watching this carefully,” said Falcon Heights Mayor Peter Lindstrom.

The agreement is expected to maintain the service time and resources currently available to residents. St. Anthony Police will finish their contract on December 31, 2017.

“I do believe that this contract we are about to sign is in the best interest of the city,” said City Council Member Joe Brown Thunder.

The fatal shooting of Philando Castile by a St. Anthony police officer was a catalyst for city leaders to begin discussions on how policing would change for the city.