Minneapolis police commander on leave, under investigation

A high-ranking leader in the Minneapolis Police Department is under investigation by the city's civilian oversight board, a police official said Monday.

Fourth Precinct commander Michael Friestleben is being looked at by the city's Office of Police Conduct Review, said police union president Lt. Bob Kroll, who didn't have details about the nature of the investigation.

Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder confirmed that Friestleben is on leave until further notice, but he declined to comment on the nature of the action.

Friestleben grew up in the north Minneapolis precinct he was appointed to lead in 2015. Even before his promotion, Friestleben was at the forefront of efforts to improve relations between community members and the police department.

That endeavor often meant the inspector would attend several community meetings in an evening. Friestleben also door-knocked alongside community activists in the Jordan neighborhood.

Police community tensions boiled over last year in the 4th Precinct after a white officer shot and killed 24-year-old Jamar Clark, a black man, not far from the precinct station. Following the shooting, protesters camped and demonstrated outside the station for nearly three weeks.

Kroll said morale at the precinct has been low since the occupation. And he said he's received many complaints about Friestleben from officers.

"I was flooded with calls and complaints over the inspector addressing officers, this past weekend," Kroll said.

He said officers claimed Friestleben made disparaging remarks to them. Kroll said some of the officers told him they were considering putting in for transfers out of the precinct.

However, Kroll added, "The chief wouldn't remove anybody for low morale, I don't believe."

Kroll said Friestleben is an appointed employee and is not covered by the union contract. He said the investigation could take one to two months.