Effective. Experienced. Dedicated.
A leader we can trust to keep us safe.

BIOGRAPHY
Richard W. Stanek,
Hennepin County Sheriff

Sheriff Richard W. Stanek is the 27 th Hennepin County Sheriff. Sheriff Stanek was born and raised in Northeast Minneapolis and is a lifelong resident of Hennepin County. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and earned a masters degree in public administration from Hamline University.

Sheriff Stanek is a 24-year veteran of law enforcement who earned several promotions for his dedication and passion for public safety, rising through the ranks within the Minneapolis Police Department. Prior to being elected as the Sheriff of Hennepin County, he served the Minneapolis Police Department as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, overseeing investigations in the areas of Homicide, Robbery, Assault, Family Violence, Organized Crime, Narcotics, Gangs and Sex Crimes.  

A five-term legislator in the Minnesota House of Representatives, he Chaired the House Crime Policy and Finance Committee. The Sheriff has also managed the largest law enforcement agency in the state when, in 2003, he was appointed Minnesota's Commissioner of Public Safety and Director of Homeland Security.  

Sheriff Stanek is considered to be one of Minnesota's foremost experts on crime policy, law enforcement and intelligence-led policing. He co-chairs the national Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, advising the U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He is an active member of the National Major County Sheriff's Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Recently, Sheriff Stanek has had the opportunity to share lessons learned from commanding the recovery efforts at the I-35W bridge collapse in August at the local, state and national levels.

In addition to a career dedicated to public safety and public service, Sheriff Stanek actively volunteers his time and energy on a number of boards and community-focused organizations dedicated to working with youth including: Boys & Girls Club of The Twin Cities, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Foundation and East Side Neighborhood Services.

The Sheriff lives in Maple Grove with his wife, Sally, and their 2 children, Ryan and Jennifer.


Download the article "Top Cop - Richard Stanek is the Hennepin County Sheriff, but he's also a family man - and your neighbor" from Maple Grove Magazine.