Just three years ago, the Fourth Precinct was the site of an 18-day occupation by activists and community members following the shooting death of Jamar Clark.
MPD
Posted inOpinion
Fear is not a justification for death
Many Whites believe the officers’ fear of being lured into an ambush is legitimate because they would process it the same way.
Posted inOpinion
MPD officers are the picture of White supremacy
The full body photos taken of Minneapolis Police officers Justin Schmidt and Ryan Kelly right after the killing of Thurman Blevins, appearing in the July 31 Star Tribune, are hard to look at. They look more like mug shots.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Photo Galleries
Protesters decry lack of prosecution in Blevins shooting (photos)
On August 3, the Justice for June Committee held a news conference at the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda, citing the officers’ complaint history and their aggressive behavior on the call as reasons why they should be terminated. The committee pointed to the Blevins shooting as part of a bigger cultural problem within the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). They are calling on a third-party investigation.
Posted inLocal & State, News
No charges filed in Blevins shooting
“You have justified police murder since you’ve been in office Mike Freeman,” she said while commandeering the conference alongside Blevins’ family and community members.
Posted inLocal & State, News
City releases bodycam footage of Blevins shooting
The video, released Sunday night, starts with the officers approaching Blevins, who is seen sitting on a curb with a woman and child. “He’s got a bottle of gin,” one officer can be heard saying. Then an officer says, “He’s got a gun!” and the officers get out of the car and order Blevins to put his hands up.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Blevins family demands immediate release of shooting video; Frey aims for end of July
In spite of the group’s deadline, Frey released a statement shortly after the news conference that said, “At this point, I can say with confidence that the video footage will be released by the end of July.”
Posted inOpinion
In the matter of Thurman Blevins…
There has been much written and talked about regarding this tragedy. And then, as if nothing happened, silence has descended with the sentiment to “let’s just all move on.” How is that possible for his loved ones?
Posted inOpinion
Could indifference to police brutality be a reflection of poor home training?
Bob Kroll, on Facebook, tried to detract from Blevins’ killing by saying people should be more concerned about Black people killed by citizens. Why can’t we be concerned about both? This is not a new tactic, but a particularly heinous one considering that Blevins has not even been buried yet.
Posted inOpinion
Another Black man dead
You want to talk bias? What in the hell does this have to do with his being riddled with bullets? Journalistic justification after the fact?
Posted inOpinion
Is the MPD Chief’s Job safe?
There is uneasy discomfort among observers of the political pressure and mixed signals surrounding the leadership of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in general. And, in particular, whether Chief Medaria Arradondo will be appointed to the permanent rank of Chief of the MPD, beginning in January 2019.
Posted inLocal & State, News
‘Date rape’ drug used to sedate police suspects?
From 2015 to 2017, MPD officers “urged” EMS responders from Hennepin Healthcare and North Memorial to inject people with the drug — even in some cases when the person was already restrained or “no apparent crime had been committed.”
Posted inLocal & State, News
Mayor Frey: More cops of color would change MPD culture
Improving community and police relations within communities of color is one of the most ambitious goals Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has set for himself, especially considering he came into office at a time when tensions with police in communities of color are at a high level. Though he has only been in office for just […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Initiative calls for a police-free Minneapolis
New report declares ‘enough is enough’ This year, the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) celebrated 150 years of policing. However, a new report that examines the department’s past and present offers “a practical pathway” in hopes of its dismantling in the near future. MPD150 is an independent community-based initiative that wants a “police-free” Minneapolis, say its […]
Posted inNews
St. Paul’s first Black female police officer set a precedent and excelled
“I was a bad mama-jama,” says retired officer Deborah L. Montgomery — she goes by just plain Debbie. She is pleasantly upbeat when reflecting on her beginning at the St. Paul Police Department. Laughing heartily, she matter-of-factly states that, as not only the first female but the first African American woman, she indeed had to be […]
Posted inLocal & State, News
Arradondo makes history as first African American Mpls police chief (video)
This morning by a unanimous vote, the Minneapolis City Council confirmed Medaria Arradondo as Minneapolis police chief. Arradondo, a 28-year veteran, becomes the city’s first African American police chief after serving as interim chief for the last month following the resignation of Chief Janee Harteau. In a released statement, Mayor Hodges called the confirmation of […]
Posted inLocal & State
Tough questions about a tough job — an interview with MPD’s new chief
An interview with MPD’s new chief News Analysis While sitting in the waiting room outside the office of Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, I came across this summer’s issue of Minnesota Police Chief. It couldn’t have contained a more appropriate cover story: “Leading in Turbulent Times.” Arradondo has landed square in the eye of […]
Posted inNews
Community members voice support for Arradondo as chief
You may not be familiar with the 2002 release of the movie Dark Blue, starring Kurt Russell, Ving Rhames and Kurupt, among others. Rhames plays Assistant Chief Arthur Holland. Although not based on a true story, the film is filled with actual historical events, which ironically have a similar cadence of topic with current events. […]
Posted inNews
Harteau’s exit cheered; mayor urged to do the same (photos & video)
Protesters rally, march, vow to keep up the pressure Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau’s resignation Friday at the request of Mayor Betsy Hodges marked a dramatic end to an intense week. In a released statement, the mayor said that she had “lost confidence” in Harteau’s leadership and “it is clear that she has lost the […]
Posted inNews
(Updated) Black Minneapolis native promoted to MPD assistant chief
Editor’s note: This story was published prior to the July 21 announcement by Mayor Betsy Hodges that she would be nominating Medaria Arradondo to become the Minneapolis Police Chief, following former Police Chief Janee Harteau’s resignation. The city council’s executive committee approval would be required to make Arradondo Minneapolis’ first Black police chief, at least […]