Minneapolis City Council rejects police chief nominee

The Minneapolis City Council rejected Bill Peterson’s bid to become the next police chief Thursday in an 8-5 vote, following a grueling hearing in which the 31-year department veteran’s work history and plans for the future were scrutinized. For more than three hours, Peterson fielded a barrage of questions from elected officials, many of whom remain deeply skeptical of any internal candidate’s ability to reform the institution from within. Several council members appeared unsatisfied by Peterson’s responses to inquiries about whether he’s observed discriminatory language used by officers during his tenure within the department. His initial inability to identify specific examples, Council Member Robin Wonsley said, led her to question if he’s unable to recognize that culture or simply acknowledge it. “Neither of those inspires my confidence in your ability to lead MPD in this moment, where it does require that deep transformation,” she said ahead of the vote denying his appointment. Advertisement Expanded image view Interim Chief Bill Peterson reacts after being rejected for Chief during the Minneapolis City Council's confirmation hearing. ( Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune ) In addition to Wonsley, council members Elliott Payne, LaTrisha Vetaw, Pearll Warren, Soren Stevenson, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Aurin Chowdhury voted to oppose Peterson, dealing a serious blow to Mayor Jacob Frey. It marks the second major rejection of a public safety leader put forth by the mayor in recent months. Those voting in Peterson’s favor were: Michael Rainville, Jamal Osman, Linea Palmisano, Elizabeth Shaffer and Jamison Whiting. Frey tapped Peterson to lead MPD on an interim basis following the abrupt exit of Chief Brian O’Hara, who resigned in May amid findings that he interfered in a sexual misconduct investigation. Expanded image view Mayor Jaco Frey listens as questions were asked during Minneapolis City Council's confirmation hearing on Interim Chief Bill Peterson. ( Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune ) Peterson, 52, has spent his entire law enforcement career with the Minneapolis Police Department. He joined the agency in 1995 at age 21, during the city’s “Murderapolis” era when homicides hit their peak, and he steadily climbed the ranks.