November 24, 2003 - Why can't Minneapolis be more like St. Paul? That's the question some are asking about police community relations. For whatever reason St. Paul appears to avoid the police abuse allegations that dog Minneapolis . Both cities are seeking new chiefs of police because of retirement. But the new Minneapolis police chief inherits strained relations with some of the city's minority residents.
November 25, 2003 - The Minneapolis Police Department will be the subject of an audit under a new project announced today to combat racial profiling. The project was inspired by traffic stop data showing drivers of color in Minneapolis are more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and searched. Members of an audit team will ride along in police vehicles and analyze police procedural manuals to try to determine what's behind the racial disparities in traffic stops. Minneapolis city officials say they hope this model will be adopted by more police departments around the state.
December 4, 2003 - An often-contentious year of negotiations has produced an agreement between Minneapolis police and community members that participants say could reduce tensions that now exist. The federally mediated deal calls for police to be more aware of race and mental health issues, and would create a new panel to oversee compliance of the agreement.
December 10, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s release of list containing six candidates to replace outgoing Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak, a panel of community members and a Seattle-area search firm have narrowed the list from more than two-dozen applicants nationwide. The list includes three African American candidates; and two internal candidates, both women, who remain favorites among many city council members.
December 10, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis police chief, on his thoughts about the hiring of a new police chief. According to Mayor Rybak's PR people, the mayor will release names of finalists for the job of police chief in Minneapolis. They anticipate six or seven finalists. Tony Bouza discusses the process, including benefits of hiring outside the department. He also speaks of hiring a black or female police chief.
December 10, 2003 - There's a renaissance underway along one of south Minneapolis ' most rundown, crime infested thoroughfares. A new hardware store and dozens of units of new housing are going up on a blighted stretch of Bloomington Avenue. But signs of renewal haven't stopped drug sellers and prostitutes from doing business there. Neighbors say they are frustrated with a justice system that doesn't deal with the criminals on their sidewalks.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s picks for new police chief. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is expected to announce his pick for police chief tomorrow. Rybak is confident in his nomination, even though the final two candidates face considerable opposition by the city council, which ultimately acts on the selection. Report includes comments from mayor and city council members.
December 19, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Barbara Johnson, Minneapolis city council member about prospective candidates for new Minneapolis police chief. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has officially narrowed his list of candidates for the next police chief to Charles Moose, the former chief in Maryland's Montgomery County, and William McManus, Dayton, Ohio police chief. The decision cut from consideration two respected deputy chiefs currently in the department, Lucy Gerold and Sharon Lubinski. While the mayor has supporters for the finalists, there are signals that the outsiders will be a tough and divisive sell. Johnson, who represents the city's 4th Ward, says she's disappointed that Gerold and Lubinski did not make the final cut.
December 22, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Eddie Roth, an editorial writer for the Dayton Daily News, about his take on Dayton Police Chief William McManus. At a committee meeting today, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is expected to officially nominate Dayton, Ohio Police Chief William McManus as his pick to be the city's next police chief. McManus will need to be confirmed by the Minneapolis City Council. Eddie Roth discusses impact of McManus’s two year tenure in Dayton.
December 26, 2003 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Don Blyly about a peculiar Christmas Day surprise at his Minneapolis bookstore.