Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau Resigns

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Less than a week after the fatal police shooting of 40-year-old Australian woman Justine Damond, Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau abruptly resigned Friday. Harteau said that "last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents," had her caused to reflect. "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. The city of Minneapolis deserves the very best."

Minneapolis Mayor Hodges, who sparred publicly with Harteau on several occasions, wrote Friday that "As far as we have come, I’ve lost confidence in the Chief’s ability to lead us further — and from the many conversations I’ve had with people around our city, especially this week, it is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well."

"For us to continue to transform policing — and community trust in policing — we need new leadership at MPD," Hodges added.

Damond was killed by Minneapolis Officer Mohamed Noor minutes after she called 911 to report a possible rape to Minneapolis police Saturday.

Damond's death quickly became international news, leaving family members in Australia shocked and angry. She was engaged to Don Damond. They had plans to marry next month.

Related:

• Officer Mohamed Noor Says No To Interview: BCA
• Mourners In Sydney Hold Beach Vigil For Justine Damond
• Justine Damond Reported Possible Rape To Police: Transcripts
• Damond Family Hires Attorney From Philando Castile Case

Harteau, nominated by previous mayor R.T. Rybak, was sworn in as Minneapolis’ 52nd police chief in 2012. She was previously the assistant chief.

Harteau joined the Minneapolis police force as an officer in 1987. She worked on the street in north, south and downtown Minneapolis, and served in the narcotics, organized crime and license investigation units, among others.

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Read Janee Harteau's full resignation statement below:

Over the 30+ years that I’ve served as a police officer in the City of Mpls, moving up through the ranks to Police Chief, I have woken up every day knowing that this job is not about me. It is about the members of the communities that we serve and the police officers who protect our residents. I am proud of the great work the MPD has accomplished. For example, I am proud we are already a leader in 21st Century and community policing.

However, last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents, have caused me to engage in deep reflection. The recent incidents do not reflect the training and procedures we’ve developed as a Department. Despite the MPD’s many accomplishments under my leadership over these years and my love for the City, I have to put the communities we serve first. 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. The city of Minneapolis deserves the very best.

I want to thank the countless community, business and law enforcement leaders that I’ve partnered with over the past three decades. Together we have built a department to be proud of through our accomplishments including MPD 2.0, our groundbreaking work with the National Initiative, Cops out of Cars, National Night Out Championships, Police Community Chaplains, the Police Community Support Team, increasing our overall department diversity, the Office of Justice Programs Assessment, Bike Cops for Kids, the Body Worn Camera program, Procedural Justice, the Chief’s Citizens Advisory Council, our Community Collaborative Advancement division, the Quality Assurance Division, the Mental Health Co-Responder program, the Leadership and Organizational Development Division and building sustainable relationships within the community.

My goal with MPD 2.0 was to leave the department better than when I became Chief, and I believe that we have.

It’s been an honor to serve the residents of Minneapolis and the officers of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Photo by Tony Webster via Flickr Commons