MINNEAPOLIS - Tim Pawlenty's campaign sent a mailer to prospective voters this week featuring uniformed members of the Minneapolis Police Department and union head Bob Kroll, a move that drew immediate criticism from City Hall just eleven days before an Aug. 14 Republican primary election for governor.
The campaign literature, which focused on immigration policies, showed Pawlenty standing in front of two squad cars, surrounded by Lt. Kroll and seven other members of the police department wearing official badges and patches.
The mailer said Pawlenty would "enforce our laws" and that the candidate "opposes DFL proposals to make Minnesota a Sanctuary State because it would prevent local law enforcement from helping keep our families safe from known criminals."
The campaign advertisement came under fire from Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo for two reasons; one involving the immigration debate itself, and the other over whether the union should have included a stronger disclaimer on the mailer that the political views did not reflect the whole department.
But first, on the immigration issue: The image of officers appearing alongside literature about tougher immigration enforcement contradicts the city's separation ordinance, which prevents officers from inquiring about immigration status.
"As Chief I want to make it very clear the MPD does not endorse any political candidate and that ALL members of the MPD will continue to treat every member of the public professionally and with respect," Arradondo said in a statement posted to the department's official Facebook page. "We will not engage in any activity that singles out an individual based solely upon their citizenship or immigration status."
Frey added: "It is a city law that cannot be reversed by Bob Kroll or any political candidate. They don't speak for the city."
Moreover: Although the back of the advertisement notes that Tim Pawlenty is endorsed by the the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, the mailer does not clearly state that officers were not reflecting the overall views of the Minneapolis Police Department.
A news release from Frey's office on Friday afternoon included a link to the department's policy on political activity, which allows union members to appear with permission in campaign ads but also "shall state that it is not an endorsement by the MPD."
In an interview with KARE 11, Kroll said he spoke with Chief Arradondo about the mailer and agreed to include a stronger disclaimer in any future campaign advertisements.
"The mailers were out. We can't take that back, but they clearly say it's endorsed by the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis," Kroll said. "And this is nothing new. We've endorsed candidates on both sides of the aisle for many, many years."
Kroll emphasized that the union complied with department policy by receiving written permission to engage in photo shoots with the Pawlenty campaign.
He also brushed off criticism that the campaign ad undermines the mayor and police chief, arguing that it's the union's prerogative to endorse candidates and policies as they please.
"We are the voice for 900 members. We are the largest agency in Minnesota, and we are the voice that represents," Kroll said, adding that he agrees with Pawlenty's stance on immigration enforcement. "Our officers would like to be un-handcuffed, and they see with changes in elected officials, that could possibly happen."
Mayor Frey and the Minneapolis Police Department were not available for interviews, but Minneapolis City Council Member Andrew Johnson told KARE 11 that the Pawlenty ad was "ridiculous."
"I had a number of constituents reach out to me and express concern about the use of taxpayer resources in this political ad," Johnson said, referring to the police squad cars that appear in the mailer. "Our city has a separation ordinance, and I think it's concerning that we're seeing a conflicting message on this. Frankly, whoever is governor, that ordinance is still going to be in place and we expect all our officers to follow it."
Mayor Frey said he and the police chief would seek to blur any official MPD images that may appear online with the Pawlenty campaign.
The Pawlenty campaign referred all questions to Kroll.