Rosemount Police Department Names First Public Information Officers
Published: October 6th 2026.
ROSEMOUNT, MN: The Rosemount Police Department has appointed its first two Public Information Officers (PIOs), creating dedicated roles to provide more timely and consistent communication about police activity, public safety, and community engagement.
Sergeant Alex Eckstein and Community Resource Officer Ashley Sherman have been selected to serve as the department’s first PIOs, the City of Rosemount announced Monday, October 5th. The department said the new positions come as Rosemount continues to grow and its public safety needs evolve. Eckstein and Sherman will work alongside the city’s communications team to provide residents and media with timely, accurate, and relevant information.
The two officers will have different areas of focus, with Eckstein handling criminal investigations, significant incidents and department operations, while Sherman will focus primarily on community engagement, outreach and public safety information.
“Establishing dedicated Public Information Officer roles strengthens our department’s ability to provide timely information during both everyday operations and significant incidents,” Rosemount Police Chief Carson Thomas said. “This supports our broader goal of being a department that is accessible, transparent, and connected to the people we serve.”
Eckstein to Handle Investigative, Operational Information
Eckstein will serve as the department’s PIO for criminal, investigative, and department operations-related matters. His responsibilities will include communicating information about criminal investigations, significant incidents, department operations, and other critical public safety matters.
Eckstein, an Apple Valley High School graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and a Law Enforcement Skills Certificate from Rasmussen College. He joined the Rosemount Police Department in 2011 as a Community Service Officer before being promoted to police officer in 2012. He became a Patrol Sergeant in 2019 and currently serves as the department’s Investigations Sergeant.
During his career, Eckstein has also served on the Dakota County Special Operations Team and Minnesota Task Force 1, the state’s Urban Search and Rescue team. From 2015 through 2018, he was assigned as a narcotics detective with the Dakota County Drug Task Force.
“I believe effective communication is a fundamental part of leadership,” Eckstein said. “I’m proud to help share the dedication of our officers, the work of our department, and the information our community needs to stay informed.”
Sherman to Focus on Community Engagement
Sherman will serve as the department’s PIO with an emphasis on community engagement and public safety information. Her responsibilities will include communicating community-focused information, supporting public outreach efforts, and helping residents connect with the Police Department.
Sherman is a lifelong Rosemount-area resident and graduated from Rosemount High School in 2015. She earned an associate degree in law enforcement and criminal justice from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in 2019. In 2025, Sherman earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in Homeland Security and a minor in strategic intelligence from Liberty University.
Before joining the Rosemount Police Department, Sherman worked in hospital security and served as a Community Service Officer with the Duluth Police Department. She joined Rosemount as a Community Service Officer in May 2021 and became a sworn police officer in December of that year. Sherman currently serves as the department’s Community Resource Officer. In that position, she works with social workers, conducts follow-up related to crisis and domestic calls and participates in community outreach efforts.
“Serving as a Public Information Officer is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between our department and the community,” Sherman said. “I’m looking forward to highlighting the partnerships that support our community and sharing the people and work behind the badge every day.”
Department Establishes Dedicated Media Contact
The establishment of the two PIO roles creates a more defined process for communicating police-related information in Rosemount, including during significant or developing incidents. Under the new structure, Eckstein will primarily handle information involving investigations and police operations, while Sherman will focus on community-oriented communication and outreach. Both will work in coordination with the City of Rosemount’s communications staff.
Residents can continue to receive department information and public safety updates through the City of Rosemount’s Police Department website and the Rosemount Police Department’s Facebook page.
From Limitless Media
Limitless Media congratulates the Rosemount Police Department on the establishment of its first dedicated Public Information Officer roles and congratulates Sergeant Alex Eckstein and Officer Ashley Sherman on their new responsibilities.
Rosemount has consistently been a community where city staff and public safety officials have been accessible and responsive to our requests for information. In our experience covering the community, both the Rosemount Police and Fire departments have maintained strong working relationships with local media and have made efforts to provide timely information and answer questions, particularly during developing public safety incidents.
The addition of dedicated PIOs builds on that existing approach by providing an even more streamlined point of contact for police-related information and further demonstrates the city and department’s commitment to communication and transparency with residents and local media outlets.
As a local news organization that regularly works with public safety agencies to provide timely and accurate information, we know how important that communication can be. During developing incidents especially, having responsive public safety officials and reliable points of contact helps news organizations provide the community with accurate information based on official sources rather than speculation or incomplete information.
We appreciate the relationship we have developed with the City of Rosemount and its public safety departments over the years, and we look forward to working with Alex and Ashley in their new roles. We congratulate them both and look forward to continuing to work together to keep Rosemount and our surrounding communities informed.
Written by: Will Wight
