Sheriff Dawanna Witt’s journey from a childhood shaped by distrust of policing to becoming Hennepin County’s first Black woman sheriff reflects resilience and leadership.
Sheriff Dawanna Witt
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Hennepin County joins shift away from ‘pretextual’ enforcement
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the county will stop prosecuting charges from pretextual traffic stops—expired tabs, window tint, and similar low-level violations—starting Oct. 15. Officials say the move reduces racial disparities and frees resources for violent crime; skeptics warn about losing an enforcement tool. The shift mirrors Ramsey County’s 2021 policy and Minneapolis’ consent-decree limits on stops.