The City Council has approved Medaria "Rondo" Arradondo, who has served as acting chief since July 21, as the City’s new police chief. Arradondo joined the MPD in 1989 as a patrol officer in the 3rd Precinct. He has served as a school resource officer and a northside beat officer. He also has internal affairs and property-crime investigation experience. Arradondo has served as 1st Precinct inspector, deputy chief and chief of staff. He is now the City’s first African American police chief.
Ward One was the first community to get an opportunity to talk with the new chief, at a forum hosted by Council Member Reich just four days before the final confirmation vote. Chief Arradondo recapped his career with the Minneapolis Police Department and talked about his vision for MPD going forward. He was accompanied by Inspector Todd Loining, who heads the Second Precinct, and Troy Schoenberger, the newly appointed Commander of the Special Crimes Investigations Division.
Community members had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns and issues with the police department. Several discussed the need for the new Chief to restore public trust in the department, while others raised issues about how officers relate to people of color. Incentivizing officers to live in the city and response times for low-level crimes were other topics touched upon.
Council Member Reich intends to offer additional community forums later this year to continue the discussion of various aspects of policing in Minneapolis. Next up will be a discussion about the City's co-responder program that pairs mental health professionals with officers and new technologies that can assist in interactions between officers and people with autism.
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