Recently appointed as the second-in-command of the Minnesota State Patrol, Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger, whose career spans over two and a half decades, looks to the future with a commitment to progress and tradition in serving the citizens of Minnesota. "That's the drive: To make sure that the next generation and everybody who comes after us carries on those traditions, but also has their foot in the next doorway too," Geiger said, emphasizing the blend of respect for legacy with the pursuit of innovation for the State Patrol, according to a statement obtained by the Department of Public Safety's official blog.
His elevation to lieutenant colonel witnessed during a promotion ceremony in St. Paul, marks a significant step in a tenure characterized by an array of achievements and service from the high school ambition inspired by his uncle, a major in the agency, to post-Marine Corps joining of the cadet academy and a steady rise through the ranks that brought him to his current leadership role. Col. Christina Bogojevic, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, heralded Lt. Col. Geiger's commitment "Throughout his 26-year career with the State Patrol, Lt. Col. Geiger has demonstrated his dedication to public service and to the core values of our agency," Bogojevic remarked, stressing the value of his experience and leadership on the continued positive impact within the State Patrol and communities served.
The tenure of Lt. Col. Geiger has seen the introduction of actionable programs aimed at enhancing police operations and community relations like the procurement and training for body-worn cameras for troopers, the development of the State Patrol data dashboard affording public transparency, and the high-profile coordination of State Patrol's presence at events such as the Minnesota State Fair. Additionally, he contributed insights to the planning of a new State Patrol headquarters, positioning the organization for improved statewide service delivery.
Amidst his administrative and operational responsibilities, traffic safety remains a resolute charge for Lt. Col. Geiger, with past encounters, such as his handling of a fatal car crash in his early career continually informing his approach by accentuating the gravity of the State Patrol's role in the community, "That experience has shaped him throughout his entire career, really emphasizing how important the State Patrol's traffic safety mission is to the people of our state and building a sense of empathy that Geiger brings to every interaction," Geiger's reflection on the matter illustrates a deeply-rooted empathy guiding his service. Geiger carries the weight of this responsibility, a subtle reminder of the critical function the State Patrol fulfills every day—public safety and citizen welfare at the heart of all endeavors.
