Plymouth, Minn., police officers and sergeants have presented a letter to the City of Plymouth expressing a vote of “no confidence” in Public Safety Director Erik Fadden.
The information started coming to light early Sunday when Crime Watch Minneapolis posted on the X platform about information they had received from a source indicating that a vote of no confidence was imminent or had taken place.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, told Crime Watch that meetings had been held involving officers and supervisors and their respective unions with the chief, city manager, and various city staff that ultimately proved unproductive in addressing the concerns of officers, which were relayed to Crime Watch as: a culture of distrust, failure to recruit and retain quality personnel, experienced officers leaving and others seeking to leave, and a lack of communication on significant events and personnel changes, among other concerns.
By late Sunday morning, the City of Plymouth had posted a statement on its website and social media pages acknowledging that the city received a letter last Monday, Jan. 13, which signaled a no-confidence vote in the public safety director, Fadden, from the police officer and sergeant unions. The city said it was posting the statement at this juncture “for the sake of transparency with the public/Plymouth residents.”
The city expressed confidence in Fadden, police leadership and officers, while acknowledging that it’s a difficult time to be a police officer. The full statement said:
“The City of Plymouth has issued the following statement for the sake of transparency with the public/Plymouth residents:
The City of Plymouth received a letter Jan. 13 regarding a vote of no confidence in the Plymouth public safety director from the police officer and sergeant unions, Police Officer Local 18 and Sergeant Union 34.
Plymouth City Council and city leaders are supportive of the Plymouth Public Safety Department, Police Department leadership and Plymouth police officers – and this unwavering support continues.
Public Safety Director/Police Chief Erik Fadden was appointed in January 2021. A 20-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department and longtime resident of Plymouth, Chief Fadden’s mission is to foster a department of mutual respect, with a dedication to teamwork and a focus on excellence in day-to-day work.
It’s a difficult time to be a police officer, and Plymouth is not alone when it comes to challenges with officer recruitment and retention. The City of Plymouth has directed significant public resources toward police department employees in recent years, including market adjustments for law enforcement salaries, which were negotiated with union representatives; additional leave benefits; financial support for educational advancement; support for mental health, physical fitness and wellness initiatives/opportunities; and efforts to work collaboratively on a labor management committee. The City of Plymouth remains committed to these efforts and looks forward to working with union bargaining groups on continued progress in these areas in order to meet the needs of the community.”
Fadden was appointed to the job in 2021, replacing retiring Chief Mike Goldstein, who one law enforcement source described to Crime Watch as an “absolute legend.”
Police officers, sergeants, and captains in Plymouth are currently operating under labor contracts that began on Jan. 1, 2024, and expire at the end of 2025. Further information was not made available on what next steps may be taken or how this development may affect upcoming contract negotiations.
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Minnesota 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.
