Interim Minneapolis police chief Bill Peterson was grilled by the Minneapolis City Council this Thursday, as members decided whether to confirm him for the permanent position. In the end, they rejected Mayor Jacob Frey's choice of Peterson as the new chief.
The City Council voted to reject Peterson on an 8 to 5 vote.
Peterson had been on his feet answering questions before the body since about 10:15 Thursday morning with a short break around the noon hour. Councilmember Robin Wonsley asked Peterson a series of questions about reports of racist, homophobic and discriminatory language used by officers he has supervised.
"Again, I cannot recall with any specificity on each of the categories that you've touched on," Peterson answered. "What I will say is that as a leader within this department, if I were to witness or have knowledge of that type of behavior, it would not be tolerated."
Throughout it all, Peterson came across as professional in speaking with the council, clear in in how he explained things, but they still decided to not confirm him.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed the council before the vote.
"It troubles me that interim chief Peterson seems to be presently being held accountable for mistakes that he didn't make," Frey told the Council. "For experiences that he didn't have, and for dark marks on his record that quite simply aren't there."
The 31-year MPD veteran was Frey's pick to fill the vacancy that was left when former chief Brian O’Hara resigned in May.
Peterson also addressed questions about department culture, finances, successes and missteps, including the police killing of George Floyd in 2020 and riots that followed.
"Members of my family questioned why I still continued to show up to work when so many others were leaving," answered Peterson. "And the best answer, that I can give is, I've said this a lot to councilmember Rainville over the years, is I'm determined to never give up."
This is not the first time the Council rejected a Frey choice in public safety. They earlier voted to reject another term for Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, who later left the job. The Council has since voted to dissolve that position.
Earlier this week Peterson told the Star Tribune he intends to finish his career with the Minneapolis Police Department, regardless of whether he was confirmed as chief.
