Former St. Paul police chief appointed to City Council

Former St. Paul Police Chief Bill Finney will return to next month to the St. Paul City Council, where he pledges to smooth police-community relations.

City Council Vice President Chris Tolbert told Finney on Thursday that the council would appoint him to serve out 7th Ward Member Kathy Lantry's term. Lantry is stepping down at the end of the month to become the city's public works director.

Finney, who is African-American, said his 34 years of experience in law enforcement put him in a good position to improve relations between police and the black community.

"You know, it's not a matter of if there's going to be conflict in the future. It's a matter of when," he said. "So anything you can do, or I can do, to make sure those points of conflict don't become explosive points I'm interested in working with."

Finney served as police chief for 12 years, retiring in 2004. He also served as an elected member of the St. Paul School Board in the early 1990s.

Finney was one of five candidates who interviewed for the job Wednesday before the City Council. He said he'll step down once voters elect his successor in November.