Robbinsdale police chief resigns

Robbinsdale's police chief resigned abruptly Saturday, a month after he was caught in a prostitution sting.

Former police chief Steve Smith was arrested in Coon Rapids in late February. Robbinsdale Mayor Regan Murphy said he first learned of the arrest when Smith stepped down from his job.

The news came as a shock, because Smith was a good police chief, Murphy said.

"Professionally, Steve's record speaks for itself. Personally, that's something he's going to have to deal with. And as a city, we're going to have to earn trust and keep that trust. And that's what we're going to do over the next couple of weeks," he said.

Murphy said Smith likely delayed his resignation to coincide with his upcoming arraignment.

Smith -- who served as Robbinsdale police chief for more than five years -- could not be reached for comment.

Captain Jim Franzen will run the police department until a new chief is appointed.