Pressured by mayor, Minneapolis police chief resigns after shooting
The Minneapolis police chief, Janee Harteau, resigned Friday at the mayor’s request, less than a week after one of the city’s officers fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman who had called for help.
Mayor Betsy Hodges said in a statement that “I’ve lost confidence in the chief’s ability to lead us further” and that “it is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well.”
Last weekend’s fatal shooting of the Australian, Justine Damond, by officer Mohamed Noor sparked protests in Minnesota and outrage in Damond’s home country. Noor has declined to speak with investigators, and the authorities have provided no explanation for why he shot Damond. Neither Noor nor his partner had turned his body camera on.
Harteau, a 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force, said in a statement that “the recent incidents do not reflect the training and procedures we’ve developed as a department.”
“I’ve decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be,” Harteau said. “The city of Minneapolis deserves the very best.”
Damond’s death was the latest in a series of high-profile incidents that raised questions about police tactics under Harteau’s watch. Weeks of protests followed the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark, an unarmed black man, in 2015.
Hodges, who is up for re-election in November and who has faced criticism for her own handling of police issues, said she was appreciative of Harteau’s service, but had requested her resignation.
“In conversation with the chief today, she and I agreed that she would step aside to make way for new leadership,” Hodges said. “I asked Chief Harteau for her resignation, she tendered it, and I have accepted it.”
State investigators continue to probe Damond’s death. Both Hodges and Harteau have said she should not have been shot. Noor’s lawyer has not responded to repeated interview requests.