Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has announced that he intends to nominate interim Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson to permanently serve in the position.
Peterson previously stated after his appointment to interim chief following the resignation of former chief Brian O’Hara that he wasn’t interested in doing the job permanently. However, Crime Watch Minneapolis learned from sources earlier this week that Peterson had changed his mind and put in for the position. Sources familiar with the decision told Crime Watch that Peterson wants to continue the momentum he’s created in the department over the last few months.
The mayor’s announcement included Peterson’s biography and history with the department:
“Interim Chief Bill Peterson is a 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department. He has established a reputation for working hard to earn the trust and respect of officers across the department, City leaders, and community members.
Throughout his career, Peterson has helped lead the department’s response to major incidents and events, including the North Side tornado, the I-35W bridge collapse, periods of civil unrest and large-scale public safety operations such as the MLB All-Star Game and Super Bowl LII, and most recently – the mass shooting at 15 E Grant Street.
Peterson has served in leadership roles across several divisions of the department, including:
- Special Operations Division Patrol Unit
- Violent Crimes Investigations Division, Robbery Investigator
- Fourth Precinct Patrol
- Pre-Service Training
- Inspector of the First Precinct
While overseeing Pre-Service Training, Peterson managed the Police Academy and Field Training Officer Program and developed the department’s first department-wide Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program. He has also spent nearly two decades supervising, mentoring, and developing officers and future leaders across the department.
Over a three-year period, Peterson also worked with Minneapolis Property Services, Minneapolis City IT, and the RSP Architects team on the design and construction of a state-of-the-art facility for the First Precinct, the first new police precinct to open in approximately 25 years.”
The city had launched a national search for the next Minneapolis police chief earlier this summer, and there were reportedly a number of internal and external candidates who applied and were reviewed by two panels created by Mayor Frey that included community members and public safety officials.
Peterson’s nomination will need to be approved by the Minneapolis City Council and a public hearing will also be scheduled prior to the vote.
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Minneapolis/Twin Cities Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
