New Minneapolis Police chief promises accountability, building back trust

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis’ new police chief is making good on his promise to construct bridges locally as he lays out his priorities for the job.

“We’re right here to scale back the variety of crime victims and to assist folks really feel protected. And we’re right here to construct belief. So to the extent that officers do this in conditions, I’ll have their again. To the extent that their habits doesn’t do both of these issues, they’ve an issue. To the extent that there has not been accountability, there undoubtedly can be accountability round these points,” mentioned Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

The chief made these feedback Wednesday night time throughout a public security assembly at Malcolm Yards as he additionally responded to issues about automotive break-ins and different property crimes on the town’s east aspect. 

“What’s the subsequent transfer for the residents? I imply, they cannot afford to maintain having issues damaged into and brought from them,” requested Britt Howell from the Prospect Park Affiliation. 

Some east aspect residents expressed they’re repeatedly calling the police and never getting an enough response.

“By way of particular person investigations, should you really feel such as you’re not listening to again, I wish to find out about that,” the chief responded.

O’Hara mentioned his aim isn’t just to reply to crimes but additionally to forestall issues from taking place. Nonetheless, he faces two big obstacles: an absence of belief in Minneapolis’ Police and staffing shortages.

The organizers of the discussion board mentioned they invited O’Hara as a result of they acknowledge how a lot public security has modified within the metropolis since 2020 and the homicide of George Floyd.

“I do not assume anybody needs to see that occur once more, so I am glad that there is dedication from everybody up right here on this desk to ensure that does not occur once more, and we’re transferring ahead in a really totally different means,” mentioned Metropolis Council member Robin Wonsley from Minneapolis Ward 2.

The chief emphasised the significance of getting policing localized to the neighborhoods and echoed his dedication to constructing again belief within the police division.

“To the extent that there has not been accountability over severe police misconduct, that point is over,” O’Hara mentioned.

The chief mentioned there’s a plan to dedicate cash towards recruitment and retention of law enforcement officials, however he’s attempting to be strategic to ensure recruits mirror the values he needs to prioritize. Whereas the division is restricted resulting from important staffing shortages, the chief mentioned he doesn’t really feel that’s an excuse.

“I’ll completely not permit any of this to be normalized by way of how responsive we’re to the neighborhood. I’ll be certain that the law enforcement officials and the supervisors who work right here perceive what my expectations are,” O’Hara mentioned.

Following his feedback, metropolis leaders mentioned it is also vital to handle why they really feel the police are having recruitment challenges within the first place.

“Some folks will not name the police as a result of they do not belief them. And so what we wish to do is proceed to work with the chief and with the council and with the mayor’s workplace and with everybody else to make sure that folks can start to belief the Minneapolis Police Division once more. I am not saying they are not reliable, however we will not ignore what occurred,” mentioned Alberder Gillespie, director of the Minneapolis Division of Civil Rights.