Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A key Minneapolis City Council committee on Wednesday gave unanimous approval to the reappointment of Police Chief Janee Harteau.

Harteau, who has been with the department since 1987, is in line to get another three-year term as its chief despite recent controversy in the fatal police shooting death of Jamar Clark. 

She will face a final council vote on Friday, and is expected to win approval there as well.

Harteau faces questions in bid for new term as Mpls. police chief


Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges wants Harteau for a second term and has applauded the chief for her efforts to realign the department and telling officers to give the public the same consideration they would give their own families. 


But Harteau's time as chief hasn't been easy. 


She's had to fire four officers. A pair of shootings by police — Terrance Franklin in 2013 and Jamar Clark in November — have prompted protests and lawsuits. 

Harteau, though, said she wants to stay at the top.

"We've just gotten started," said Harteau, a long time veteran of the Minneapolis police.


"We've had three years. I've had almost 30 years of building relationships with this city and only three years as the chief," she said. "There's a lot of work to be done, and I need more time to get it done."


Harteau's opponents have argued the chief hasn't done enough to address alleged officer misconduct and improve transparency regarding the department's operations and policies.

"No. No. Don't appoint this police chief for a second term," said Phil Murphy, owner of Crystal Lake Floral Design in north Minneapolis. 


Murphy said so-called community policing isn't working for the neighborhood around his shop. He said he stays armed with a shotgun and wants change in the department.


"The sound of gunfire is what we're used to. Incoming bullets, rounds. I have four bullet holes in my building," he said. "Three people have been shot on my corner this summer since the Fourth of July. And my employees, my skilled floral designers will not come to north Minneapolis anymore because of the crime."


Yolanda Hare, who also lives in north Minneapolis, told the City Council that she wanted Harteau held responsible for the conflict around the 4th Precinct police station following the Jamar Clark shooting. 


Hare, a teacher and neighbor, said she was one of the demonstrators at the 18-day occupation.


"While I was there, I saw police jeer at protesters and rile them up. I saw them point weapons," she said. "I felt them shove batons through a fence and hit me. I have been Maced by them."


Hare said it was a sign of a department that she felt was out of control.


Harteau also got a grilling from 9th Ward Council Member Alondra Cano, who wants the police department to do more to stem sex trafficking in her neighborhoods. She said she also wants more Minneapolis police living in the city.


The chief said both of those were priorities for her, as well.


Harteau also received some unexpected support.


Chuck Turchick, a regular critic of the police, took Harteau to task for her department's discipline policy and for what he described as a lack of clear oversight. And then he endorsed her.


"I support the reappointment of Chief Harteau," he said. "The chief is open to criticism without being defensive and without surrendering her principles or her viewpoints. For example, at the suggestion of community members, she initiated a monthly opportunity for any citizen to come and sit down and have a one on one with the chief about any issue of concern."


Hodges acknowledged the problems, even as she urged the council to sign off on Harteau's appointment.


"We know that there is mistrust in the community and we knew and we know that there are solutions we have to find here at the city and in the police department to build that trust again."


Hodges said Harteau is the person to do it.

Minnesota News

Twin Cities News

NewsPartners

Tim Nelson

Author

A key Minneapolis City Council committee on Wednesday gave unanimous approval to the reappointment of Police Chief Janee Harteau.


Minneapolis panel backs new term for Harteau as police chief

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox