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The shooting of Justine Ruszczyk and trial of former officer Mohamed Noor
Brandt Williams
Minneapolis

Mpls. committee backs Arradondo to lead police force

Arradondo and Hodges
Acting Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo listens to reporters' questions, with Mayor Betsy Hodges in the background, during a news conference last month.
Maria Cardona | MPR News file

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Updated: 5:52 p.m. | Posted: 4:10 p.m.

A Minneapolis City Council committee recommended Wednesday that acting police chief Medaria Arradondo continue to lead the department.

Arradondo, who has been on the force for 28 years, would be the city's first African-American police chief if selected. Scores of residents attended the committee meeting to support Arradondo — or Rondo, as he's often known.

Mayor Betsy Hodges nominated Arradondo after asking former chief Janeé Harteau to resign in the wake of the fatal police shooting of Justine Ruszczyk, a 911 caller.

During Wednesday's public hearing, Arradondo told the committee that he wants to improve police-community relations.

"The ultimate goal is for us to have a police department where our community trusts us, where we are looked upon as being legitimate, where we are looked upon as being guardians in our community and one with our community."

The full City Council will need to vote in order for Arradondo to become police chief.

The majority of the more than 40 people who testified at the hearing voiced their support for Arradondo's appointment to chief. They said he's the right person to bring about some changes in the department — especially building trust with communities of color.

His supporters came from a lot of different communities, including Somali, Native American, Hispanic and African American. There were also several current and former Minneapolis police officers who spoke out in favor of his appointment.

Philippe Cunningham, a north side resident, running for City Council, said he felt compelled to testify because of his working and personal relationship with Arradondo. Cunningham identified himself as a black, queer, trans man and chair of Minneapolis trans issues work group. He said Arradondo attended every meeting.

"His capacity to continuously show up and lead as a black officer navigating the inherently racist institution of policing while remaining centered in truth and justice shows a rare skill of Resistance and commitment in the face of major systemic breakdowns," Cunningham said.