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'; I went to Page Elementary School. Portrait of a police chief as a young, mustachioed policeman, in 1990. The prosecution has been calling a string of witnesses from the police department, including a senior officer who said Friday that Chauvin's actions were "totally unnecessary.". But Arradondo, the MPDs first Black police chief, immediately distanced himself from the officers who killed Floyd, firing all four within 24 hours and calling their actions a violation of humanity live on CNN. Hes oddly magnetic, partly because of a youthfulness that flies at odds with his lifes work. I know the staff over there really welllove that place. At the time of Ms. Ruszczyks death, Chief Arradondo was the assistant chief. var inline_cta_font_color_382199 = ''; tn_author: ['alyssa-o', 'anna-d'], The land around it is littered with empty cans and dry grass. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo was born and raised in the city he now serves. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images (4th Precinct Police Station). In 2007, Arradondo was one of five black officers who sued former Chief Tim Dolan, alleging that he fostered a racially hostile environment. tn_ptype: 'article', I mean, cities are always changingalways having ups and downs. Minneapolis Deputy Chief of Police Medaria Arradondo talks to demonstrators outside the police department's 4th Precinct Nov. 20, 2015, during protests against the police shooting death of. The fact is he is part of the system, community activist Adrianna Cerrillo said. I had nine siblings. Police investigating company, The city is in an uproar: Woman found shot to death, Two men shot on Nine Mile Road in Richmond, Christina Applegate makes last red carpet appearance, SCAM ALERT: Fraudulent buyers target online sellers, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "The ultimate outcome is that he is not here with us. The two had been at odds over a woman, according to the criminal complaint. By signing up to receive emails, you agree to receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nation's journalism. And, two, that those who may often have the biggest megaphone are speaking for the whole. It impacted peoples views of the city. "An activist who was in the room told us that there was going to be a 'war.' Truly. And I did not see a whole lot of officers who looked like me. cta_2_check_382199 = true; The Black officer in that case wasconvicted of third-degree murderand is serving a 12 1/2-year term. cta_1_check_382199 = true; The MPD has been a permanent fixture through your adulthood. window.onload = function() To communicate and listen and make sure that they were being heard. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said Derek Chauvin violated multiple department policies in his restraint of George Floyd. Bishop Richard Howell, of Shiloh Temple International Ministries, said that he and other leaders met with Arradondo around 10 a.m. on May 26, the day after Floyd died, when the chief told them he was torn about what to do. jQuery("#inline_cta_btn_382199").html(inline_cta_button_text_382199); TAMMY WEBBER, AMY FORLITI and STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified for the prosecution Monday in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin, who is facing murder charges over the killing of George Floyd. For the MPD chief, talking to a camera is a common occurrence. I also have to recognize that through all of those things from my upbringing that make me feel connected here, that this is not that same city it was. In fact, save for a brief stint walking the airport beat in the late 1980s, the chief has spent his whole adult life working for the hometown squad. You know, I think that its a mixture. Another instructs officers to ensure no one is detained longer than necessary. "So I don't see a level of distinction any different. The chief finishes that interaction and validates my order with a laugh and a gesture that says, I wish, but I know better. Good thing were not in Minneapolis, I think. After Ms. Ruszczyk was killed, several changes were implemented in the department, including a requirement that Minneapolis police officers turn on their body cameras as soon as they start responding to 911 calls. "And so, while it is absolutely imperative that our officers go home at the end of their shift, we want to make sure and ensure that our community members go home, too," he said. "We had to do the right thing based on the information we had, but we also knew that this was going to really change the image of the department. But he was criticized following Floyds death. Heres Why. Minneapolisagreed to pay $27 million to Floyds familyto settle a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. I take that with a great sense of responsibility and Im just humbled that Ive had people who came before me to uplift me, Arradondo said at his introductory press conference where he also said he intended to "restore faith" in the community. When Arradondo was tapped to lead the Minneapolis Police Department in 2017, he faced a public newly outraged by Damonds death and still carrying deep mistrust over the killing of Clark. But he did not see any of the officers provide medical attention to Floyd, even though he appeared unresponsive. Blocks from the courthouse, a news camera sits alone on the street corner. And he said officers are expected to use those skills. var inline_cta_text_382199 = ''; And it caused, quite frankly, a migration of folks. When one of our officers violates the public trust, I am responsible for that. Late last summer, protesters wearing shirts that said Bob KKKroll Must Go! caravanned a half hour to his suburban neighborhood and took to the streets. Testimony is scheduled to resume around 9:30 a.m. Before that, Judge Peter Cahill might. if( inline_cta_2_bg_color_382199 !='' ){ The Minneapolis native said he is grateful for those who made it possible for men and women like me to serve in positions like this.. Stephen Maturen / Getty Images file Link copied https://www.kare11.com/appredirect/\r Find KARE 11 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KARE11/\r Follow KARE 11 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kare11\r Follow KARE 11 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kare11/ Arradondo started as interim chief in 2017 before officially taking over that same year, according to The Journal. Along the way, he and four other Black officers successfully sued the department for discrimination in promotions, pay and discipline. And a couple of gentlemen yelled something in reference to that. cta_2_check_382199 = true; Q&A: Minneapolis Chief of Police Medaria Arradondo. ", "Mr. Floyd died in our hands," he said. If you lose that, you may never repair it, may never get that back.. In the wake of George Floyds death, protests against police violence were met with militarized, aggressive police. Chief Medaria Arradondo of the police department. His swift action was reason they are being held accountable, Williamstold NBC News. In a story published Tuesday by the Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder, Arradondo said he recognized the importance of police having a strong bond with the community. var is_user_logged_in = getCookie('SESSname'); jQuery("#inline_cta_2_btn_382199 a").attr("href",inline_cta_2_url_382199); The officer, Lt. Richard Zimmerman of the department's homicide unit, said that restraining Floyd in the way the officers did and for as long as they did was "uncalled for." "There is an initial reasonableness in trying to get him under control in the first few seconds," Arradondo said, "but once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back that in no way, shape or form is anything that is by policy, is not part of our training and is certainly not part of our ethics or our values.". jQuery("#inline_cta_btn_382199 a").attr("href",inline_cta_url_382199); tn_keyword: ['black-live', 'george-flo', 'police-bru', 'racial-vio'], Fast-forward to today, and I dont care if a situation happens in a police department in Texas or Toronto: If its scrutinized and something of a critical nature, communities today feel very connected to that, and they will view your police department sometimes in the lens of that. Floyds death under an officers knee quickly mainstreamed abolitionist thought by suggesting police reform is ineffective and insufficient. Since weve already determined that this is the beginning of the end for you at the MPD, have you ever considered whats next? In a ceremony that featured dance, song and prayer,. It isnt monolithic. cta_1_check_382199 = true; I read that youre losing 3540 officers each year to retirement. Shortly after court was adjourned, activist Marcia Howard posted an image on TikTok. It just so happened that the Airport Police Department started its first community officer program. It was then that Arradondo made the decision to contact the FBI to investigate the case, he told the agents. But hes not been engaging with the people.. Derek Chauvin, the white officer seen on video pressing his knee into Floyds neck for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, was charged with second-degree murder and other counts. After graduating from Roosevelt High School and earning a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan State, he served stints in patrol, internal affairs and property crimes, and has walked the beat on the citys North Side, where his family has strong ties. The chief goes with a chefs salad (dressing choice: Gorgonzola vinaigrette); Elder, our press minder, orders a side salad. Prosecutors say Chauvin killed Floyd by pressing his knee on his neck for about nine minutes. Maybe, maybe not.. In his later interview with the BCA and the FBI, Arradondo recalled that he hadn't yet made his final decision, but asked the officials gathered about what they thought about firing Chauvin and the other three officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, the documents said. tn_pos: 'rectangle_4', Prosecutor Steve Schleicher showed a still image of Chauvin with his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd grimaced in pain, a position Chauvin maintained for nine minutes and 29 seconds. ", Around the same time, Arradondo and Frey made it public at a news conference, where a clearly shaken Frey was more unequivocal, saying, "Being Black in America should not be a death sentence. jQuery("#inline_cta_382199").html(inline_cta_text_382199); Reading aloud from the police manual's policy on the use of force, Arradondo said: "Sanctity of life and the protection of the public shall be the cornerstone of the MPD's use-of-force policy. if( inline_cta_url_382199 !='' ){ After a weekend-long recess, the trial of Derek Chauvin, whom Arradondo fired for killing George Floyd, resumed on Monday. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards. North's Deshaun Hill, 3 Minneapolis City Council members file police reports accusing activists of intimidation. "[17] During the interview, Arradondo did not back demands for dismantling and defunding the Minneapolis Police Department, suggesting instead the enforcement of recent bans on physical restraints such as chokeholds and neck restraints, eliminating barriers that protect Minneapolis police officers from misconduct charges, and changes to police union contracts which allow officers who are fired or disciplined to get arbitration.[17]. In a TikTok-posted film taken during the celebration, Howard points over her head. Minneapolis chief urges voters to reject replacing PD . A courtroom display showed an official document stating that officers are required to sign an acknowledgement they have received any updates to the police policy and procedure manual. During the second week of jury selection, Arradondo held another press conference. VIDEO: People in Denmark Are a Lot Happier Than People in the United States. jQuery("#inline_cta_2_btn_382199 a input").css("background",inline_cta_2_bg_color_382199); "If someone loses a loved one, that can trigger a crisis.". The first priority always is going to be the preservation of life, he said. And eventually there has to be another lens to look at that and move it to the next level. [7], As police chief, Arradondo stopped the practice of low-level marijuana stings due to complaints about racial disparities,[8][9] and codified the relationship between police and emergency medical service providers (EMT). That whole area was. Three miles away, a similar fortification wraps around the Third Precinct station, which burned to the ground during the protests that followed Floyds death. He also shot two people during his 19-year career and was never charged. jQuery("#inline_cta_2_btn_382199 a input").css("color",inline_cta_2_font_color_382199); He was the first black chief of the Minneapolis Police Department. But the defense attorney says that Floyd was experiencing a drug overdose and had an underlying heart condition. Others in the room included prominent activists such as Nekima Levy Armstrong, Al Flowers and former Minneapolis NAACP President Leslie Redmond. inline_cta_2_bg_color_382199 = '#cc0e0e'; Click here to log inor subscribe. Download the free 8News and StormTracker 8 mobile apps! And, by the way, we get to see that every day. Moss said in an interview that the chief had always shown a willingness to consult with various groups before making major decisions. tn_pos: 'rectangle_1', The arts and entertainment blog. } Then I started my freshman year in high school at Minneapolis Central. jQuery("#inline_cta_2_btn_382199").html(inline_cta_2_button_text_382199); "We were working on the changes that had been necessary way before George Floyd died," he said. var myStringArray = mp_global.tag; While Arradondo said choke holds are authorized in some situations, he told the jury the use of force he saw in a video filmed by a bystander was not objectively reasonable. The policy was changed in 2016, he said. if( inline_cta_2_button_text_382199 !='' ){ Mr. Arradondo was expected to testify that Derek Chauvins use of force was contrary to department policy and training. And you left briefly after high school, right? I would love for us to be able to have more of our officers out there engaging in neighborhoods. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Minnesota, studying crime and law. The list also includes behavioral crises a category that Arradondo said his officers probably deal with the most. And the store owners. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo revealed the move before talks were scheduled to resume after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arradondo sat calmly behind the plexiglass, clearly at home in the system. "Matter of fact, as I saw that video, I didn't even know if Mr. Floyd was alive at that time," the police chief said. There were 52 before me. var inline_cta_2_text_382199 = ''; If youre not getting any fouls, youre not playing hard enough., Compared to Kroll, Arradondo is a woke king. Minneapolis native well-liked in community. He said the chief listened patiently and tried to answer their questions. It's among the first steps he pledged to take to restore. } The other three officers face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder. } Arradondo added that he is "absolutely devastatingly sorry for their loss. }else{ As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 2023 Blavity, Inc. All rights reserved. "Be courteous, respectful, polite and professional," the first line states. tn_author: ['alyssa-o', 'anna-d'], Arradondo, a fifth-generation Minnesotan, joined the Minneapolis Police Department as a patrol officer, eventually working his way up to precinct inspector and head of the Internal Affairs Unit, which investigates officer misconduct allegations. He spent his first year working out of the paper's Washington County bureau, focusing on transportation and education issues, before moving to the Dakota County team. magazine_button_url_382199 = 'https://www.thenation.com/email-signup-module-donate/'; Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, Anyone can read, no subscription required, See A monthly newsletter on the global fight for reproductive freedom. But fast-forward to today, and more people are coming into the city and to places that were desolate. A thing I grapple with as chief is trying to humanize this profession. The men and women who will be joining the Minneapolis Police Department will be of the generation that watched what occurred in Ferguson, what occurred in New York with Eric Garner, what occurred in Minneapolis with Jamar Clark, and what occurred in Falcon Heights with Philando Castile. So I'm very sorry. (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images). The then deputy chief talks with demonstrators outside the 4th Precinct in 2015. Medaria Arradondo is an American law enforcement official who served as the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department from 2017 until 2022. 13 years ago, Medaria Arradondo now Minneapolis' police chief and 4 other officers sued the MPD for racial discrimination. We are products of our society. But I have to be determined to lead the charge in planting those seeds of culture change and make sure theyre cultivated. if( inline_cta_font_color_382199 !='' ){ [1] Career [ edit] David Pleoger of the Third Precinct, testified that Chauvin did not initially inform him of the deadly restraint he used. { customEventsOnLoad(); tn_articleid: [382199], Williams said Arradondo has been doing his part to make sure the officers don't overreact when the protests get violent. By signing up, you confirm that you are over the age of 16 andagree to receive occasional promotional offers for programs that support The Nations journalism. He openly condemned Mr. Chauvins actions and called Mr. Floyds death a murder.. Yes. Under questioning from Schleicher, Arradondo described how officers are responsible for learning new procedures and standards when department policies change. Schleicher also reviewed the department's "professional policing" standards, which outlines seven expectations for officers. "They all unequivocally agreed that, that was the right decision to do," Arradondo said in a recorded interview with agents from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI. Chauvin, 45, is facing three criminal charges, as listed in court documents: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to Derek Chauvin's defense attorney as George Floyd's defense attorney. } ", Chauvin's use of force with Floyd violated such policies, Arradondo said: "That action is not de-escalation. You just accept that and go in there every day and work your hardest. CNN's Sara Sidner speaks with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo at the scene where George Floyd was killed while in police custody. He said at one point the mayor joined the meeting and the conversation briefly turned to the best course of action after people in the community saw the video. In Minneapolis, public officials unleashed the largest police deployment in state history, during which officers shot rubber bullets and waged chemical warfare against citizens. That featured dance, song and prayer, to contact the FBI to investigate the case, he.... 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