I have served with the Duluth Police Department for 28 years and for the past three years have had the privilege of serving as Chief of Police. I’ve learned that leadership in policing is as much about people as it is about policy. Every decision we make, every initiative we launch, must ultimately serve one goal — building a safer, stronger and more connected community.
As the leader of a department authorized for 153 officers, my approach has been grounded in accountability, efficiency and partnership. I believe accountability starts at the top. It’s about setting clear expectations, owning our decisions and ensuring that we live up to the trust our community places in us. In Duluth, that means being transparent, responsive and willing to have tough but honest conversations about how we can do better.
Since stepping into the role of chief, my focus has been on creating a more efficient and effective organization — one that serves with and for our community. We’ve worked to streamline operations, embrace data-driven strategies, and modernize our technology, all while maintaining the human connection that defines great policing. Efficiency is not about doing more with less, it is about doing better with what we have. It’s about maximizing our impact so every officer and staff member can serve with clarity and purpose.
But the true heart of our work lies in partnership. Policing today is not something we do to a community — it’s something we do with our community. Whether through neighborhood meetings, youth outreach or collaborations with local service organizations and businesses, our goal is to listen, learn and work side by side with the people of Duluth.
Leadership, to me, means more than managing a department. It means setting a tone of integrity, compassion and forward thinking. It means supporting the men and women who wear the badge, while always keeping our focus on those we serve.
Duluth is a special city — resilient, caring and deeply connected. My role as chief is to ensure that our police department reflects those same qualities every single day. Together, we’re not just enforcing laws; we’re building trust, strengthening relationships, and shaping the future of public safety in our community.
Chief Mike Ceynowa has served with the Duluth Police Department since January 1998 and was appointed Chief of Police in 2022. He leads a department with an authorized strength of 153 sworn officers dedicated to serving the Duluth community with integrity and purpose.
