Minneapolis City Council Votes Against Bill Peterson for Police Chief

As reported by KSTP, the Minneapolis City Council voted 8-5 to reject Interim Chief Bill Peterson’s nomination, meaning the $68,000 spent by taxpayers on the search for a new Minneapolis police chief might have been for naught as the procedure could potentially restart.

The decision leaves Minneapolis without a permanent police chief. Questions regarding the oversight of key public safety initiatives have heightened because this development follows closely on the heels of the City Council’s vote to dismantle the Office of Community Safety.

Mayor Jacob Frey selected Peterson—who has served over 30 years in the Minneapolis Police Department—following a nationwide recruitment effort that attracted around 20 candidates.

Minneapolis City Council votes 8-5 against Bill Peterson for police chief — WCCO – CBS Minnesota

“Thank you all,” Peterson said after the vote.

Andrea Jenkins Reacts to Slim Candidate Pool

Former Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins served on a community panel that interviewed police chief candidates during the search process. She admitted she was caught off guard by the council’s rejection.

Minneapolis City Council Votes Against Bill Peterson for Police Chief

“My initial thought was, wow, what a surprise,” she said.

Jenkins said that the candidate pool was slim. She said there are not a lot of people stepping forward to say they want to lead the Minneapolis Police Department.

“There’s not a lot of people who are stepping forward to say, ‘I want to lead the Minneapolis Police Department,’” she said.

Before the vote, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw voiced support for an internal candidate she believed was better suited for the position. She pointed to Inspector Charlie Adams of the 4th Precinct, who was named by the mayor as one of the four finalists.

Minneapolis City Council rejects Bill Peterson for permanent police chief role — WCCO – CBS Minnesota

“For me that candidate was Charlie Adams,” Vetaw said. “Charlie is largely responsible for the reduction in crime and the historic reductions we have seen on the north side. That is no small accomplishment.”

Conversely, other council members argued that the city should look outside the department for its next leader. Council Member Robin Wonsley maintained that transformational leadership could not come from someone who spent their entire career inside the department.

Mayor Frey Holds Veto Authority over Council Decision

The council’s rejection vote does not necessarily end Peterson’s path to becoming chief. Mayor Frey holds the authority to veto the council’s decision and send the matter back to members.

Minneapolis Council rejects Bill Peterson’s nomination for police chief — FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Frey acknowledged that the situation remains complicated.

“To a certain extent, a decision like that could put it into no man’s land where the decision would remain with the council because they likely don’t have the votes to override the mayoral veto, but I don’t yet have the votes to get a majority,” Frey said.

The council would need nine votes to override a mayoral veto, while Peterson’s rejection passed on an 8-5 tally. Frey also expressed uncertainty about whether Peterson would want to continue serving as interim chief.

Jenkins emphasized that her larger concern is what prolonged uncertainty means for public safety in Minneapolis.

“I’m really concerned about public safety,” she said. “The fact that the council has indicated dismantling the Office of Community Safety and there wouldn’t be a commissioner at that point, and then subsequently denying a more permanent role for the police chief, I think it really puts public safety in jeopardy.”

City officials confirmed the police chief search cost taxpayers approximately $68,000. Officials have not offered any financial projections regarding the potential cost of initiating a brand-new search process for Minneapolis.