Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis police recruitment is finally on the upswing. ‘Legacy families’ are part of it.
When Macauley Reuben watched the riots and civil unrest spread through Minneapolis after George Floyd was murdered five years ago, he knew what he wanted to do with his life.
“I honestly wanted to build up the city again, be a positive change and be a good example,” he said.
Macauley, now 20, was a high school sophomore in New Richmond, Wis., when he decided he wanted to be a Minneapolis police officer. His father, Patrick Reuben, said he was “shocked” when he learned of the plan — the two had never discussed Macauley following in his dad’s footsteps. Nevertheless, Patrick was proud.
“I always ask to make sure, ‘You want to do this? Are you sure you sure you want to do this?’” the 28-year Minneapolis Police Department veteran said. “And he always says yes.”
Macauley is now serving as a community service officer (CSO), and the father-son pair are one of eight “legacy” families with an officer father and a son or daughter who are new Minneapolis police officers or CSOs. Macauley now works at the front desk for the First Precinct in downtown Minneapolis, but he plans to become a sworn police officer.
Minneapolis’ police staffing remains far below what it was before 2020, when officers left in droves following the unrest after Floyd’s killing. But recruitment is on the upswing. Applications jumped by 133% by the end of 2024. After a record low of 563 officers in March 2023, there are now more than 600 sworn officers, the department said recently. The police academy also recently launched its largest class since the 1990s.
Lt. Richard Walker serves on the force along with his son Richard Jr., known as “RJ,” 20, who is also a CSO. Richard Walker said that while he’s proud his son decided to enter the same line of work, he never pushed the idea.
“I just wanted him to be his own man, but I’m honored that he’s here, and I’m proud of him,” Richard said.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis College teams up with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts for student parents
For many student parents at Minneapolis College, the holiday season arrives during one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.
Final exams, work schedules and family responsibilities often collide in December. This week, a Toys for Tots giveaway on campus offered some relief.
The college partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program to provide gifts exclusively for student parents. School officials say more than 145 student parents signed up for the event, representing nearly 270 children.
Veronica Krawiec is a nursing student at Minneapolis College and the mother of a young son, Christopher. She said balancing school, work and parenting can be overwhelming, especially around the holidays.
Krawiec said she was able to find a Lego set her son specifically asked for this Christmas, something she was not sure she would be able to afford on her own.
She said the support she receives on campus has made a significant difference, pointing to resources like the Student Support Center and food pantry. Krawiec said those services help her focus on school without feeling ashamed for asking for help.
“As a mom most of the time I feel like I’m failing but like this this helps me a lot to not feel as bad,” she said.
Sharita Jackson, a first semester addiction counseling student and single mother of two, also attended the giveaway. She said resources like the Toys for Tots event help ease some of the pressure that comes with being a student parent.
Minneapolis College staff say the need among student parents has grown this year, in some cases doubling. The college estimates nearly 20% of its students are parents, and more than 70% of students identify as Indigenous or people of color, international, low income or first generation.
In addition to holiday giveaways, the college offers a Student Parent Center, a food pantry, basic needs support and access to housing, financial and veterans resources. Staff say those services are designed to help students stay enrolled and succeed while raising families.
College officials say events like the Toys for Tots giveaway help reduce stress during the holidays and allow student parents to focus on finishing the semester strong.
A tense situation developed in South Minneapolis Monday afternoon, where dozens of residents confronted ICE agents operating in the streets near Lake Street and Pillsbury Avenue, not far from the Karmel Mall.
WCCO reporter Esme Murphy was also on the scene and reported that chemical irritant had been deployed. Murphy and a WCCO photographer were among those who were hit with the irritant.
Murphy reported seeing at least three people in handcuffs, but it was not immediately clear for what reason they were being detained. The scene seemed to have cleared by 2:30 p.m.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies were observed at the scene. Local law enforcement have been deployed to control crowds since the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Metro Surge in recent weeks. One of the recent ICE operations in the metro area was a raid at a construction site in Chanhassen over the weekend.
The Karmel Mall is the nation’s first Somali shopping center. The enhanced ICE actions came just after President Trump said, “I don’t want [Somalis] in our country” and claimed Somalis are “completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota.”
Few other details were immediately available, but WCCO crews on the scene noted that many of those protesting against ICE were using whistles, which in many prior confrontations have been used to try to warn neighbors that ICE agents were in the vicinity.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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