Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Monday 24 July 2017

Next Minneapolis police chief has deep community roots

By REBECCA BOONE shooting happened, said
Associated Press she’s impressed with Ar-
People who have worked radondo, but wonders if
closely with the man someone from outside the
tapped to lead Minneapo- department would be bet-
lis’ embattled police de- ter able to make changes
partment say he has quali- and enforce procedures
ties that will fit well with the such as turning on body
role: He’s friendly, forthright, cameras.
has deep city roots and is Neither the Somali-Amer-
African-American, which ican officer who shot Da-
could help improve sour re- mond, Mohamed Noor, nor
lations between police and the officer with him, Mat-
the city’s black community. thew Harrity, turned on their
But Medaria Arradondo’s body cameras.
rise from school resource Others say an insider is ex-
officer and patrolman to actly what the department
assistant chief during 28 needs: Someone who was
years on the force has brought up in the Twin Cit-
some wondering whether ies and can spot the dys-
an outsider would be bet- function beneath “Minne-
ter suited to changing the sota nice.”
culture of a department “He’s a fifth-generation
accused of being too quick Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteau, center, stands with police inspector Kathy Waite, left, Minnesotan, and he’s ap-
and assistant chief Medaria Arradondo during a news conference in Minneapolis. People who
to use force. have worked closely with Arradondo tapped to lead Minneapolis’ embattled police department preciated and well-re-
Facing public anger over say he has qualities that will fit well with the role: He’s friendly, forthright, has deep city roots and spected as a police offi-
an officer’s fatal shooting is African-American, which could help improve sour relations between the police and the city’s cer,” said Raeisha Williams,
last weekend of an un- black community, Saturday, July 22, 2017. a 5th Ward city council
armed, white 40-year-old (Maria Cardona/Minnesota Public Radio via AP) candidate and the former
Australian woman who had “Inside the department, ing usher people through council’s approval be- communications direc-
called 911 to report a pos- outside the department, change, which Arradondo fore he can begin the job. tor for the local NAACP.
sible sexual assault near her fans, critics, everybody — has done and is doing,” He served as the depart- “He’s African-American,
home, Mayor Betsy Hodges he builds relationships with The police department ment’s public face for most obviously, and he knows
asked police Chief Janee people, which is going to has stepped up training in of a week after the July 15 the climate, he knows the
Harteau to resign, which be crucial as the depart- recent years, focusing on police shooting of Justine community, he knows the
she did Friday. ment moves forward,” community policing, Hodg- Damond, until Harteau re- culture.”
Hodges nominated Ar- Hodges told The Associat- es said. She said Arradondo turned from vacation on That’s vitally important
radondo as Harteau’s re- ed Press Saturday. will work to cement those Thursday. when policing a region
placement and dismissed “What’s needed at this time changes. Linea Palmisano, a city where 40 percent of resi-
protesters’ calls for her to is someone who is good at Arradondo, nicknamed councilwoman who repre- dents are people of color,
resign, too. making change and help- “Rondo,” needs the city sents the ward where the Williams said.q