Bob Kroll, Minneapolis Police Union Head, Vows To Stick Around

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis Police Officers Federation President Bob Kroll vows to continue in his leadership role amid public pressure to step down. Activists and elected officials blame the head of the union for blocking significant police reforms in the city.

Criticism of Kroll increased following the death of George Floyd. Kroll and his wife — a television reporter for WCCO — were the subject of protests outside their home in Hugo on Aug. 15. Piñatas of Kroll and Liz Collins were smashed during the demonstration.

Democratic candidate for the Minnesota House, John Thompson, spoke at the protest and suggested that Kroll is a white supremacist.

Kroll says he will plans to stick around because of the attacks on his job.

"Now these people are causing me to stay cause I can’t make it look like they’re chasing me out. I’ve never backed away from a fight in my life," Kroll recently told The Mix Radio Network.

"I truly want to retire," he continued, "and let my wife's work get back to normal." But Kroll says he doesn't want to hand his political opponents a victory by stepping down.

"The same people who want me gone so bad, from the protesters to the mayor to the City Council to the governor, now they’re getting me stuck here longer, so the joke’s on you."

Kroll is an outspoken conservative and supporter of President Donald Trump, which puts him in sharp contrast with the progressive city council and mayor in Minneapolis.

Kroll rallied with Trump when he visited Minneapolis last year.

Kroll's union sold "Cops for Trump" shirts for the rally after the police department banned its officers from wearing their uniforms at political events.