MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s statements that it is time for Police Chief Robert Olson to go.
Mayor Rybak says the chief hasn't done enough to foster public trust in the Minneapolis Police Department. Rybak will need the City Council's approval to buy out the remainder of the chief's contract. However, the council appears split on the issue, with some council members saying constituents don't believe a new chief will necessarily bring better relations between police and the community. Reports includes comments from Keith Ellison, attorney and community activist; Mathea Little-Smith, DFL activist; and Robert Lilligren, Minneapolis city council member.
Transcripts
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BRANDT WILLIAMS: In recent days, Mayor Rybak has criticized Chief Olson, saying he has not been responsive when asked to trim police department budgets. Rybak has also questioned the department's policies on use of force. Since Mayor Rybak took office in January, Minneapolis Police officers have been involved in several high profile incidents that ended in violence.
There was the shooting death of a mentally ill Somali man, brandishing a machete, the breakup of a group of protesting bicyclists, and a riot at the University of Minnesota. Each incident caused some members of the public to question the department's policies on the use of force. However, some say the issue goes deeper than Chief Olson.
KEITH ELLISON: The problem is not necessarily a problem of individual personnel. The problem is a problem of policing.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Attorney Keith Ellison is a longtime resident of Minneapolis and a vocal critic of police policies. Ellison, who is also a legislative candidate, says there are many things wrong with how the Minneapolis Police enforced the law.
KEITH ELLISON: We deploy our officers on the level of focusing on poor Black communities when we enforce the drug laws. That's a policing problem, not an individual personnel issue.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Many Black leaders were similarly critical of past chiefs, including John Lockes and Tony Bosa. But some, like longtime DFL activist and lifelong Minneapolis resident, Mathea Little Smith, say they worry about the implications of forcing Olson to leave now.
SPEAKER: We have budget shortfalls, and we're talking about paying him over $300,000 to leave, and basically, he hasn't done anything different today than he did yesterday.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: The cost of an Olson buyout appears to be the biggest obstacle to the mayor getting his way. Some estimate the cash strapped city would have to pay nearly half a million dollars. City Council Vice President Robert Liljegren says he's heard from constituents who say the city can't afford the buyout.
ROBERT LILJEGREN: At first, I was very little interest in this issue. It was surprising, actually. And now, since about last night, I've heard from maybe a couple of dozen constituents, and the calls are running about 3 to 1 against buying out the contract.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Some city council members say they are willing to accept a buyout plan, as long as it leads to other changes in the police department. Liljegren says he's willing to give the chief some time to make improvements.
ROBERT LILJEGREN: Could we make it clear to the chief what we want him to do? Could he change? We haven't given that a chance. I would say we need to give him a chance, make it clear what our requests are, what our requirements are, what we want to see out of his performance, then evaluate that and see if he's met our criteria, and then decide if the chief has to go.
BRANDT WILLIAMS: Chief Olson has refused to talk to the media about the future of his position, saying it would be unprofessional. There's a possibility he could resign and save the city from making a big buyout, but city officials say that's not likely. Mayor Rybak has yet to make a formal proposal to buy out the chief's contract. I'm Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio.