Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo to retire

Chief Arradondo is retiring. Mayor Frey said his ideal successor will be "reform minded."

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo speaks at a press conference. (YouTube screenshot)

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Monday that he will not accept a third term.

Arradondo’s current term, his second, ends this January. The city will appoint an interim chief selected by Mayor Jacob Frey. Arradondo said he does not intend to run for public office, nor has he entertained offers from departments in other cities.

He also added that the George Floyd unrest has little to do with his decision. “It’s personal,” he explained, saying that he’s enjoyed his 32 years of service but now wants to spend more time with his family.

“I believe that now is the right time to allow for new leadership, new perspectives, new hope to lead the department forward,” he said at a press conference.

Frey’s search for an interim chief is already underway. The search for a permanent head of the Minneapolis Police Department will involve candidates from around the nation. The mayor said the ideal candidate will be “reform minded.”

St. Paul is also looking for a new police chief after Chief Todd Axtell announced in October that he will be stepping down at the end of his first term in June.

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Kyle Hooten

Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.