MINNEAPOLIS – Supporters and critics alike will have another chance to weigh in on whether city leaders should reappoint Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau.
On Tuesday, a packed house shared their perspectives in a public hearing. Given that some complained about the lack of notice, city council leaders scheduled another hearing for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m..
The reappointment hearing for Harteau and others came one day after the chief and Mayor Betsy Hodges requested a federal review of how the city handled protests at the 4th Precinct following the November shooting of Jamar Clark. Hodges noted – in her statement of support of Harteau – that the review would inform both city leaders and the country on what the city did correctly and where they made mistakes. Hodges added she believed Harteau was leading the department in the right direction, specifically referring to the chief’s guiding policy that all officers evaluate their actions based on how they’d want their own relatives treated.
“I ask, without hesitation and without reservation, that you support the reappointment of Chief Janee Harteau for Minneapolis Police Chief,” Hodges said.
Harteau herself said she’d continue focusing on the department and city’s “core values: commitment, integrity and transparency.”
But not everyone believed that those values have been enough to overcome a culture of “brutality” and division.
“We need a police chief that has the courage to hold their fellow officers accountable. I’m sure Fong Lee and Jamar Clark would be opposed,” said Adrian Thompson, referring to the deaths of two men in officer-involved shootings.
Critics also called out officers’ behavior during the November protests.
“The conduct of the officers was absolutely atrocious and terroristic. There were macings, bike rammings of protestors and verbal threats directed not only to adults but children,” said Asha Long with Black Lives Matter, Minneapolis.
Still – Harteau and Hodges were not alone in stating support for the police chief. One speaker applauded the chief’s decision to move the protestors’ camp during the night, when it would have the lowest risk of injury or violence. Others – including Alisa Clemons, a former Minneapolis police officer – said Harteau was headed in the right direction.
“Change does not come overnight. Reform does not come overnight. But this chief is not afraid to do that,” Clemons said.
The council has decided to hear from the public again next week. They want to make sure everyone feels they've had their say before the council makes its decision.