ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota State Patrol veteran is taking over duties as the chief House sergeant-at-arms.

Bob Meyerson just retired as a major in the state trooper but is coming aboard as chief House sergeant. The House formally elected him during Thursday's session, ratifying a decision made weeks before his retirement.

Meyerson has had Capitol-related assignments for about eight years of his 28-year State Patrol tenure.

He'll be the first chief House sergeant-at-arms in memory with a law enforcement background, something House leaders were aiming for when they refashioned the job description to move it away from a political-patronage approach. The new description sought someone skilled in crisis intervention and with supervisory experience in policing.

Meyerson says he doesn't intend to carry a gun in the House chamber, although nothing precludes it.

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