Who We Are - Metro Transit

Chief Rick Grates

Interim Chief of Police

Until his recent interim appointment, Chief Grates supervised MTPD’s patrol operations, which encompasses both MTPD West Command and MTPD East Command. Chief Grates was responsible for over 80 officers, 12 Sergeants and three Lieutenants. He also oversaw special events and planning along with determining deployment of the MTPD’s 47 part-time police officers. MTPD’s CompStat program is one of the many strategic initiatives used by the patrol division to determine officer deployments. Community Oriented Policing along with CompStat are focal points for the patrol division. Chief Grates has over 25 years of service and has served MTPD as a patrol officer, investigator, Sergeant and Lieutenant. He also is a graduate of Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command.

Captain Richard Raymond

Patrol Operations

richard.raymond@transitpd.org

Captain Raymond supervises MTPD’s patrol operations, which encompasses both MTPD West Command and MTPD East Command. He is responsible for over 60 officers, 12 sergeants and three lieutenants. He also oversees special events and planning along with determining deployment of the MTPD’s 52 part-time police officers. MTPD’s CompStat program is one of the many strategic initiatives used by the patrol division to determine officer deployments. Community Oriented Policing along with CompStat are focal points for the patrol division. Captain Raymond served Metro Transit Police for 17 years and has served MTPD as a patrol officer, K9 officer, investigative sergeant and lieutenant, and patrol sergeant and lieutenant, where he oversaw the K9 unit. He graduated from Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command in 2021.

Captain Erin Dietz

Training and Professional Standards

erin.dietz@transitpd.org

Captain Dietz leads MTPD’s Professional Standards & Training Division and chairs the Use of Force Review Board and the Department’s Uniform Committee. Captain Dietz is responsible for the recruiting, hiring, backgrounding, and training of all new officers entering the ranks at Metro Transit Police Department. Captain Dietz serves as the Field Training Coordinator and Instructor for officers matriculating from MTPD’s Police Academy to full-time patrol. The Training Unit conducts internal training and coordinates all department training for full-time and part-time officers. Captain Dietz holds a M.A. in Criminal Justice Leadership from Concordia University and has served with the Air National Guard. Captain Dietz is a graduate of the Northwestern University of School Police Staff and Command.

Captain Joseph R. Dotseth

Support Services & Budget

joseph.dotseth@transitpd.org

Captain Dotseth is responsible for the operational and capital budgets, grant writing, grant project management, and Safety and Security initiatives. He also oversees department procurements, payroll administration, records unit, and the administrative support staff. He is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement and has served a variety of roles with MTPD to include: patrol officer, beat officer, field training officer, patrol Sergeant, administrative Lieutenant, and an Internal Affairs Investigator. Captain Dotseth holds a M.A. in Public Safety Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a graduate of Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command #484.

Lieutenant Lori Ammend

Investigations

lori.ammend@transitpd.org

Lieutenant Ammend oversees the general investigations unit, crash reconstruction unit, and the juvenile investigations unit. The investigations division is responsible for investigating crimes occurring on Metro Transit property. The investigations unit investigates all levels of crimes and conducts on-scene and follow-up investigations. The crash reconstruction unit investigates incidents involving Metro Transit vehicles that include: buses, light rail, and commuter rail. The investigators assigned to the crash reconstruction team receive advanced training and have specialized equipment assigned to them. The juvenile investigators are specialty trained also and focus on outreach and diversion as a community oriented policing strategy. Lieutenant Ammend also oversees the property and evidence unit. Lieutenant Ammend has served a variety of roles at MTPD to include: patrol officer, training officer, patrol Sergeant, and investigative Sergeant.

Sergeant Leonard Keyes

Internal Affairs Unit

leonard.keyes@transitpd.org

Sergeant Keyes is currently assigned to the MTPD's Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), which is dedicated to ensuring that the relationship between the department and the community is built upon trust and transparency. The IAU investigates complaints of misconduct and violations of department policy. IAU directly reports to the Chief of Police and coordinates every investigation directly with the Chief. Sergeant Keyes is a Marine Core Veteran and has served a variety of roles in his career to include: patrol operations, field training officer, counter-terrorism unit, patrol supervisor and internal affairs investigator.

Leah Palmer

Policy and Project Development

leah.palmer@transitpd.org

Leah has a background that includes more than a decade connecting law enforcement agencies with the communities they serve. Through project management, community engagement, and best-practice implementation, she has made lasting improvements in how officers are trained, how they engage with the public, and how their work can be better understood. Most recently, Leah worked to support the Metro Transit Police Department's Body Camera program, with an eye to allowing the transit riding community better understand police interactions. Her dedication to those that law enforcement serve is seen through her experience as a domestic violence prevention specialist and in leading community forums on. A graduate with a Sociology degree from the University of Wisconsin River Falls, she also earned a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.