“We are tired of being told to give leadership another chance while our communities continue to live with the consequences,” Ryan Van Wagner said at a recent public hearing, opposing the nomination.
Eight members of the Minneapolis City Council voted against Bill Peterson’s nomination to become the permanent head of the Minneapolis Police Department on Thursday, according to MPR News.
Council members opposed the bid due to the department’s history of biased policing targeting Native American and African American residents. Peterson acknowledged this troubled history during the meeting and promised to pursue necessary reforms.
Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Peterson for the permanent post on Oct. 9 following the May resignation of former chief Brian O’Hara. Peterson stepped in as interim chief after O’Hara resigned amid allegations of interfering with an internal investigation.
Council member LaTrisha Vetaw explained that she voted against the nominee because she preferred longtime north side precinct commander Charlie Adams.
“I respect the nominee and the service you have given to this department, but I have a responsibility to be honest about my assessment of this process and the candidate I believe should have been selected,” Vetaw told MPR News.
Other council members backed the interim chief’s decades of experience within the agency. Peterson has served the department since age 21, working as an inspector for the downtown precinct and holding leadership roles during major emergencies like the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in 2007.
“We need someone with interim chief Peterson’s credibility, both inside the department and within the community, and to keep him as a leader in our process of change and reform,” said council member Elizabeth Shaffer.
The department operates under an agreement with the state’s human rights department to resolve discriminatory policing practices. University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Rachel Moran said implementing these reforms is difficult.
“When we rebuild numbers-wise, those number of vacant shifts that aren't filled with officers on regular duty, it's the best way to address that overtime” Peterson told MPR News said Peterson aims to rebuild staffing levels to reduce expensive overtime shifts. He also reported taking steps to address internal investigation backlogs and coordinate with the monitor overseeing the state agreement.
Peterson initially stated he did not want the permanent position after taking over in May. He later reversed his stance because he saw an opportunity to serve.
The agency struggles with maintaining adequate staffing levels, reining in overspending on overtime shifts, and addressing a backlog of internal investigations. At the same time, leaders must enact reforms mandated by an agreement with the state’s human rights department.
Peterson has worked for the Minneapolis Police Department since he was 21 years old. He has served as inspector for the downtown Minneapolis precinct, led training efforts and held leadership roles during major emergencies like the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in 2007.
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