Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis police chief fired officer who left his post to seek sex act during overnight shift
When the woman responds with a suggestive photo of their own, Alonzo writes, “Okay, give me a sec, let’s see if I can leave this call.” Ten minutes later, Alonzo writes that he has arrived at her apartment and is provided instructions to be buzzed upstairs.
Time stamps indicate that the messages were exchanged over a 2½-hour period during the normal working hours of his shift. The overnight shift, known as “dogwatch,” typically runs until about 6:30 a.m.
The civilian later told investigators that she communicated with Alonzo via Grindr and confirmed that he had arrived at her home, in full uniform, multiple times in August 2022. Automatic location tracking data inside his city-issued squad car proved that the vehicle was parked near her residence on two dates — outside the Fifth Precinct area, to which he was assigned. There were no known calls for service there.
Under questioning from Internal Affairs, Alonzo admitted that he met with a woman in her home and “had oral sex performed on him” while on duty. He acknowledged how that behavior might be concerning to the public.
“I could see where people would believe that I’m intentionally leaving an emergency call,” Alonzo said, according to disciplinary records. “It also devalues like the trust of police and community.”
An audit of Alonzo’s search history within the city’s Police Information Management System (PIMS) also revealed that he had used the database to obtain private data on the woman unrelated to his official work duties. He contacted a phone number obtained through an address search, believing it to be the woman from the dating app; it turned out to be her roommate’s.
Minneapolis leaders are divided over whether to keep paying for ShotSpotter as the city weighs a new contract for the gunfire detection system.
A public hearing at City Hall focused on the technology as Minneapolis negotiates a new contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief of Investigations Travis Riddle told the council the system supports gun violence strategies and can alert police no later than 60 seconds after shots are fired.
Critics at the hearing said the technology is not proven enough and argued the money could be spent in other ways. The proposed deal would cost $3.7 million through 2029 and would expand ShotSpotter into new areas of Minneapolis.
“We have actually had a contract with SoundThinking for their ShotSpotter services since 2014, and even with this technology for over 12 years now, MPD’s solve rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings were some of the worst in the country,” Council member Robin Wonsley said.
Council members pushed back on the long-term proposal and said they want a one-year deal instead. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw disagreed with concerns raised by her colleague during the debate.
“In my opinion, and in folks I’ve heard from the North Side who have shown up here time and time again to say that we want this technology, we believe that ShotSpotter is a tool that the police use to save lives,” LaTrisha Vetaw said
City Council is set to take up the issue again on June 17. Minneapolis police are expected to return with a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract brought forward at the hearing.
Premiere vocal ensemble, Cantus is bringing the songs of Dolly Parton to the stage with fresh interpretations. The show will cover her classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Cantus Presents, COVERS: Dolly & Friends runs through June 7th at the Luminary Arts Center at 700 N 1st St. in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened near Oliver Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North just before 2 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Investigators say an SUV struck another vehicle, which then collided with a motorcyclist. The driver of the SUV then fled the scene.
The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday night.
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