PUBLIC SAFETY

Grand Meadow chiropractor accused of sexual contact with a client

John Molseed — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 18:22:08 GMT

GRAND MEADOW, Minn. — A Minnesota chiropractor faces a charge of criminal sexual conduct for allegedly committing a sex act on a client.

According to court documents, 42-year-old Dillon Carter Denisen, of Grand Meadow, is accused of performing oral sex on a client on Wednesday, June 25. He faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct within a prohibited occupational relationship.

A man reported to detectives with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office that he had gone to Denisen for an adjustment, Monday, June 23, and claimed that Denisen undressed him partially and massaged his hips with a numbing cold cream. The man told investigators that he returned for an adjustment on Wednesday. Denisen again pulled down the man’s pants to apply numbing cream and later performed oral sex on the man, the man alleged.

Denisen told investigators that pulling the client’s pants down is not a normal part of treatment, court documents show. A LinkedIn account under Denisen’s name lists him as the owner of Meadow Area Chiropractic, LLC.

Court records show Denisen was released on bond. His initial appearance is scheduled for Thursday, July 10.

Grand Meadow is in southern Minnesota, roughly 25 miles south of Rochester.

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Minnesota State Patrol asks public not to attend anti-Trump 'No kings' protests Saturday

Forum News Service staff — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 17:17:52 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota State Patrol is asking members of the public not to attend the "No kings" rallies planned across the country today in protest of President Donald Trump.

In posts on social media, the Patrol said that flyers saying "No kings" were found in the vehicle of the suspect in a pair of shootings that left Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband dead Saturday, June 14. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and injured, but were stable after undergoing surgery, officials said Saturday morning.

"Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution," The Patrol said in its post. "The photo is of flyers inside the vehicle of the suspect in today's shootings."

Nationwide protests have been planned for Saturday in opposition to Trump and a parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military. The military parade, championed by Trump, is estimated to cost $25-45 million and falls on the president's 79th birthday.

Minnesota State Patrol Chief Col. Christina Bogojevic said in a video posted Saturday morning that the Patrol doesn't have any direct links between the shootings and the protests but that authorities were using caution after the flyers were found.

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Trump has been briefed on 'targeted attack' against lawmakers; AG Pam Bondi, FBI are investigating

Sydney Mook — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:53:04 GMT

ST. PAUL — President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the “terrible” shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers early Saturday morning, June 14.

"I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers,” Trump said in a statement on Saturday morning.

Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating the shootings and “will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!” Trump said.

Gov. Tim Walz said in a press conference that Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed early Saturday morning, June 14 in Brooklyn Park, in the second of two reported shootings on state lawmakers.

DFL Sen. John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot early Saturday morning in Champlin. In a press conference Saturday, officials said Hoffman and his wife underwent surgery for their injuries and are recovering. Walz said he is “optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt.”

In an afternoon press conference, law enforcement identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. He reportedly impersonated a police officer to gain access to the victims.

Boelter escaped on foot after being confronted by police outside Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park on Saturday morning.

According to Boelter's social media profile, he worked in the Minnesota food industry until starting a security company in 2021. He was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz and former Gov. Mark Dayton to a state workforce board.

The FBI listed Boelter on the webpage for the FBI's most wanted fugitives and is offering up to $50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Boelter.

Reaction from Minnesota leaders and beyond

Leaders from both sides of the aisle in Minnesota and beyond strongly condemned Saturday’s shootings.

In a press release, Walz said, “Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend.”

He called Hortman “a formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol.”

“Minnesota’s thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated,” he said.

He added, “We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence — and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.

A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation is underway, Walz said.

“… We will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. We will not let fear win,” he concluded.

Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson, East Grand Forks, said his “heart is broken over the events that unfolded overnight and the loss of life, security, and peace that we are all feeling right now.”

“Senate Republicans are unified in our condemnation of this brazen act of violence. We thank law enforcement and Capitol Security for their coordinated effort responding to the threat and delivering justice,” Johnson wrote in a statement.

Speaker of the House Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said she was “horrified by the evil attack” and is “heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.”

“With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she and Hortman were good friends who started in politics around the same time.

“I still remember the two of us going door to door in her first legislative campaign,” Klobuchar wrote in the statement. “She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion. As Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, she led efforts to protect women’s rights, invest in clean energy, and secure free school lunch for kids. She was beloved by her colleagues.”

Klobuchar thanked the “brave law enforcement officers” who are working on the case and to protect Minnesotans.

“Let me be absolutely clear: this was an act of targeted political violence, and it was an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy. We must all condemn it. And we must refuse to be a country where anyone is silenced by threats or violence,” she said.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said, "... through all the ups and downs of public life, Melissa never lost sight of what's right, and always stood on the side of fairness, and of justice."

"The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation," Ellison said in a statement.

Ken Martin, former head of the Minnesota DFL who was recently elected as chair of the Democratic National Committee, said Hortman wasn’t only a leader, “she was a damn good legislator and Minnesotans everywhere will suffer because of this loss.”

“Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette — these are not just names, and this is not just politics. These are people. They’re longtime friends to me and Jenn and so many others in Minnesota. They have children, loved ones, neighbors, and friends,” Martin said.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, posted on the social media platform X about the shootings.

"Violence is never the answer. I hope suspect is caught & swiftly brought to justice," Grassley wrote.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., released a joint statement alongside the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation -- (Delegation: U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.):

“Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants,” they said in the statement. “There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence. We are praying for John and Yvette’s recovery, and we grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark with their family, colleagues, and Minnesotans across the state. We are grateful for law enforcement’s swift response to the situation and continued efforts.”

As the news reverberated around Minnesota, local leaders have also spoken out about the shootings.

Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said, “There is no room for political violence in Duluth, or in Minnesota. This is not how we solve problems here, and it’s not how we get our ideas across. Today is an opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves, are we doing things to help combat this growing trend, or contribute to it?"

Although law enforcement encouraged caution when attending "No Kings" rallies held around the state, some protests went on Saturday.

The rally in Rochester began with a moment of silence to acknowledge the shootings.

Walz ordered flags to fly at half-staff in remembrance of Hortman.

Some lawmakers around the state have also reported having law enforcement stationed outside their homes. Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, and Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, both reported officers are stationed outside of their homes on Saturday morning.

"It's a really sad day," Putnam told St. Cloud LIVE, adding it's a chance to reflect on how people treat one another.

Rep. Jim Joy, R-Hawley, said Hortman’s “presence at the Capitol left a meaningful and lasting imprint on our state. Her voice, her passion, and her commitment to public service will not be forgotten.” He added he continues to pray for the Hoffmans as they recover.

“This evil must be condemned without hesitation. Political violence has no place in Minnesota or anywhere in America,” he said.

"I am numb with shock and sick with grief at the assassination of my friend and mentor, Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark,” state Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, said in a statement. “Melissa taught me so much about making laws, serving constituents, and how to be a true public servant. I will miss her and Mark so much.”

Wolgamott said legislators will honor her memory by “refusing to be intimidated by political terrorism” and work hard to “improve the lives of Minnesotans.”

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26 hospitalized after acid spill at Minnesota meat-packing plant

Lauren Breunig — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:36:11 GMT

COLD SPRING — Twenty-six people were hospitalized Friday, June 6, following a chemical spill at the Pilgrim’s Pride meat-packing plant in Cold Spring, Minnesota, according to a news release from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

“We can confirm CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital has received several patients from an incident in the community and all are currently being evaluated,” Karna Fronden, a CentraCare spokesperson, told St. Cloud LIVE in a statement. "None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening."

The Cold Spring/Richmond Police Department and Cold Spring Fire and Rescue responded to a report of spilled peracetic acid at Pilgrim’s Pride at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, June 6, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office news release. The spill has been contained within the plant, law enforcement said.

Peracetic acid is a powerful oxidizer and disinfectant, primarily used in food processing, healthcare, and water treatment, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

The facility, at 851 Sauk River Road in Cold Spring, was evacuated by the time first responders arrived at the scene, according to the county news release.

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Minnesota residents targeted by fake messages imitating Driver Vehicle Services

Staff reports — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:54:51 GMT

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is warning Minnesotans to be wary of any text messages from the “DMV” and requesting immediate payment.

According to a news release from DPS, these fake messages claim to be from agencies such as the “Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles” or “DPSMN” and request immediate payment in regard to outstanding traffic tickets. The messages state that if payment is not received, a number of actions may be taken, including suspending driving privileges for 30 days or revoking vehicle registration.

The Department of Public Safety advises those who have received these messages not to open any links to avoid having any personal information stolen.

“DPS and its Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division will never send texts about outstanding traffic tickets and will never request payment through a text,” according to the news release.

Some residents reported receiving multiple messages in a row, with increasingly threatening language to pressure recipients into paying.

“We understand how upsetting it can be to receive multiple threatening messages demanding payment. If you’re unsure, please reach out directly,” Driver and Vehicle Services Director Pong Xiong wrote in a statement. “We’re here to help protect your information and peace of mind.”

The DVS Records Division can be reached by phone at 651-296-2940. Residents can also find information they need at the DVS website at dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs.

Residents who sent money or personal information after receiving these texts are advised to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

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Man killed in police response to domestic dispute in west-central Minnesota

Staff reports — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:34:08 GMT

PAYNESVILLE, Minn. — A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting Monday night in Paynesville, where police responded to a report of a domestic dispute.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shared in a post on social media early Tuesday morning that BCA agents were at the scene to investigate.

According to a news release from Paynesville Chief of Police Paul Wegner, a male suspect reported to be armed had locked himself in the basement of the home. Shots were fired as police were attempting to take him into custody.

Upon arrival at the 600 block of Stearns Avenue at around 9:05 p.m. Monday, June 2, officers from the Paynesville and Cold Spring police departments and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office were able to safely evacuate an adult female from the residence.

Officers entered the house and attempted to make verbal contact with the male, according to the news release. Officers reportedly told the male to come to the basement stairs with his hands visible. They also advised him that he was under arrest and that he needed to show himself.

The news release did not describe the ensuing shooting in any more detail.

Officers and medical personnel at the scene immediately administered life-saving measures, but the man died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Wegner. A firearm was also located at the scene.

The woman who reported being assaulted had suffered minor injuries to her head and neck area, according to the news release.

Chief Wegner said body-worn cameras were in use at the time of the shooting, and the BCA is currently investigating the incident.

Paynesville Mayor Shawn Reinke issued a written statement around 1 p.m. Tuesday, stating that Wegner had kept him apprised of the events overnight and Tuesday morning.

“This tragic occurrence leaves our community in a state of shock that we were not planning to wake up to today. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved during this tremendously sad day,” he said.

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In 2002, former Minnesota police chief started a fire to win back his girlfriend

Olivia Estright — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:30:00 GMT

LANESBORO, Minn. — After his girlfriend broke up with him via email, a former Minnesota small-town police chief tried to rekindle the flame.

It happened 23 years ago. On April 7, 2002, the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office received a call from John Tuchek, who had been the police chief of Lanesboro, Minnesota, since June 2001. Tuchek reported he was patrolling downtown when he saw a building catch fire.

Living in an apartment above the Lanesboro building was Tuchek’s former girlfriend, who ended their relationship the week before, according to previous Post Bulletin reporting.

Tuchek provided investigators with varying stories immediately after the fire, including one where he observed white sparks coming from the power lines and another where he saw someone in a light-colored jacket running down an alley near the building. When investigators discovered the fire wasn’t accidental, they began to suspect Tuchek had something to do with it.

But law enforcement didn’t get the full confession from Tuchek — his former girlfriend did.

Four days after setting the fire, Tuchek allegedly admitted to his former girlfriend that he was the one who started the fire, according to previous reporting from the Winona Daily News.

His motive? To win her back.

Tuchek confessed that he wanted to look heroic by saving her from the fire, the Post Bulletin reported.

Investigators pieced together that Tuchek used gasoline to ignite cardboard boxes on fire behind the Little River General Store. The fire burned through a gas meter, allowing the fire to quickly spread to the building.

According to Post Bulletin archives, the fire destroyed three downtown Lanesboro buildings, including the Little River General Store and the Ice Cream Garage, and damaged several apartments above.

Tuchek faced 15 charges, including nine counts of arson and six counts of criminal damage to property.

“Evidence will show you that John Tuchek was stupid, that John Tuchek started the fire. But evidence will not show he planned to damage the building,” Tuchek’s attorney Marc Kurzman said in his opening statement during the trial.

Kurzman argued that while his client did light a small piece of cardboard on fire, he never intended to cause the larger fires, nor did Tuchek use an accelerant. Ultimately, a Fillmore County jury found Tuchek to be guilty on eight counts of first-degree arson and one count of fifth-degree arson.

Tuchek was sentenced to serve six years in prison and pay more than $700,000 in restitution.

“I just want to say I’m sorry to the people of Lanesboro,” Tuchek said during his sentencing hearing.

Tuchek attempted to appeal his arson conviction, but the Minnesota Supreme Court declined to hear his arguments.

Months after the fire, the owner of the Little River General Store told the Post Bulletin that she wasn’t sure the business would ever recover.

“He will haunt me for the rest of my life if I can’t recover from it,” Kirsten Mensing said at the time.

Tuchek, who lived in Preston, joined the Lanesboro Police Department in December 1998 and became chief in June 2001. He resigned on April 12, 2002. According to Minnesota Court Records Online, Tuchek sent money to the collection agency from 2010 to 2019 when the collection referral was closed.

Former chief faces 15 felonies
Article from 13 Apr 2002, Sat Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota)

Fire's effects don't fade
Article from 14 Dec 2002, Sat Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota)

Police chief admits setting fire, resigns
Article from 13 Apr 2002, Sat The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota)

Tuchek gets six years
Article from 17 Dec 2002, Tue Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota)

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Jenkins Creek Fire was human-caused, initial investigation shows

Staff reports — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:30:12 GMT

BRIMSON, Minn. — The largest of the wildfires burning in St. Louis County was likely caused by people.

In an update Wednesday, May 21, the Eastern Area Incident Management Team said the initial investigation into the nearly 17,000-acre Jenkins Creek Fire, which started May 12, shows “the fire is related to a human cause.” The update noted the investigation is ongoing.

The causes of the 12,000-acre Camp House Fire and 1,259-acre Munger Shaw Fire remain “undetermined,” according to the Wildfire Incident Information System.

Meanwhile, several evacuation orders are being lifted.

In St. Louis County, 13 evacuation zones in “go” status were improved to “set” status Tuesday, the sheriff’s office reported on Facebook.

St. Louis County Highway 33 and County Road 110/Forest Highway 11 also reopened to traffic at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

“Property owners are urged to take extra caution in the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post Tuesday night. “Be aware that the burned areas may still show smoke from various stumps and debris — this is not of concern when inside the already burned area. However, if smoke or flames are found outside the already burned area or anywhere it is clearly a hazard, please call 911.”

In Lake County, the only active evacuation zone remaining is the Murphy Lake Road area, Matt Pollmann, the county's emergency management director, said in a Facebook video Tuesday night.

“Containment is over 40%, so they are feeling confident with the Camp House Fire,” he said.

Significant progress was made in containing the perimeter of the Camp House Fire to 73%, the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team reported Wednesday morning.

Jenkins Creek Fire status, Wednesday, May 21 Started: May 12 Acres: 16,748 Location: 15 miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes Cause: Human-caused Resources: 223 Containment: 13% Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team notes: “Fire: Crews held line around the fire despite the strong, gusting winds. Unmanned Aerial Systems flew five flights during breaks in the wind, detecting areas with heat that were then attacked by ground crews. Today, additional firefighters will be moved from the Camp House Fire to the Jenkins Fire to make a push to connect existing containment lines. The heavy equipment that was working along the southern edge of the fire to masticate (chop up) large fallen debris into wood chips will progress north today. The debris that is chipped up will not burn as hot should fire reach the wood chippings. Over time, the woody chip debris will decompose quicker.”

Camp House Fire status, Wednesday, May 21 Started: May 11 Acres: 12,071 Location: 2 miles northeast of Brimson Cause: Under investigation Resources: 365 personnel Containment: 73% Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team notes: “Firefighters’ steady effort in battling the Camp House Fire over the past week paid off as all existing lines held despite strong winds from the east. Overnight precipitation continued to aid in cooling the fire. Two hotshot crews will continue to work in some of the more challenging terrain to finish connecting portions of the containment line. Other crews will begin moving deeper into the interior from the southern end of the fire to find and put out any smoldering areas inside the containment line. The fire initially started on private land and moved into national forest system lands, and a Forest closure is still in effect.”

Munger Shaw Fire status, Wednesday, May 21 Started: May 12 Acres: 1,259 Location: Southeast of Cotton Cause: Under investigation Resources: 9 personnel Containment: 95% Cloquet Area DNR Forestry notes: Firefighters are patrolling the area and mopping up isolated hotspots. No fire growth is expected, although high winds are a concern.

Weather forecast

The Wednesday forecast for the Brimson and Two Harbors area calls for mostly cloudy skies and a high near 56 degrees, with an east wind around 15 mph, gusting as high as 30 mph, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported.

A gale warning was in effect Wednesday until 1 p.m. for the North Shore from Two Harbors to Duluth.

A frost advisory was in effect from 1 to 9 a.m. Thursday for St. Louis and Lake counties, the NWS said. Temperatures could drop as low as 31 degrees.

The forecast for Thursday is sunny, with a high near 65 degrees and a northeast wind around 5 mph.

Evacuations

St. Louis and Lake counties will contact residents in their respective counties if they need to evacuate.

St. Louis County’s “ready, set, go!” evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow, orange and red, along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property. Lake County’s “ready, set, go!” evacuation zone map denotes evacuation status in yellow, orange and red, along with recommended plans to protect residents and their property.

Evacuation centers are no longer in operation.

For questions about Camp House, Jenkins Creek fires

U.S. Forest Service hotline: 218-206-6805

How you can help

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota

For residents impacted in St. Louis County. It is working to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Immediate assistance is offered through its Comforts of Home program, which replaces lost items with referrals from agencies like the Red Cross and St. Louis County. All proceeds go to impacted community members.

Donate online: unitedwaynemn.org/firehelp Donate via mail: United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719.

Head of the Lakes United Way

For residents impacted in Lake County. All proceeds go to impacted community members.

Donate online: hlunitedway.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/18236 Donate via mail: Head of the Lakes United Way, 314 W. Superior St. #750, Duluth, MN 55802; include a note indicating “wildfire relief.”]]>

Minneapolis will follow police reform consent decree, despite DOJ dismissal

MPR News staff — Wed, 21 May 2025 22:06:09 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to dismiss its case against the City of Minneapolis that would have resulted in a federal consent decree and mandated reforms for the Minneapolis Police Department.

The move Wednesday, May 21, was largely expected. President Donald Trump has long opposed consent decrees, calling them a “war on police.” When he took office for a second term, his administration froze all civil rights litigation and issued a memo that said the administration “may wish to reconsider” court-enforceable agreements to reform police agencies.

In Wednesday’s filing, attorneys with the Justice Department say that “after an extensive review by current Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division leadership, the United States no longer believes that the proposed consent decree would be in the public interest.”

Movement toward a consent decree followed a two-year federal investigation into the police department that found MPD’s culture cultivated “systemic problems” that made possible the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

It found MPD routinely used excessive force, “unlawfully discriminates against Black and Native American people,” violates the Americans with Disabilities Act in its response to mental health calls, and violates the Constitutional rights of people who criticize them.

The city welcomed a federal consent decree to guide the department and reached a tentative settlement agreement with the DOJ last December.

City leaders on Wednesday said the city won’t change course and still plans to follow the recommendations laid out in the consent decree. In a statement, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the police reforms will continue regardless of the DOJ’s motion.

“We’re doing it anyway,” he said. “We will implement every reform outlined in the consent decree — because accountability isn’t optional. Our independent monitor has lauded the meaningful progress we’ve made under the state settlement agreement, and the public can count on clear, measurable proof that our reforms are moving forward.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reiterated that message: “I came to Minneapolis to lead this department through historic reform,” he said in a statement. “We will go beyond what is required and deliver real, lasting change for our residents.”

Local police reform activists welcomed that commitment from city leaders but said they don’t believe the changes will be as effective without federal oversight.

Local organization Communities United Against Police Brutality filed a petition in federal court Wednesday asking the judge to keep the case open.

“This consent decree is an important road map for how to address those issues. We are not going to allow this administration to take that away from the community,” said CUAPB President Michelle Gross.

Local advocate Nekima Levy-Armstrong said the agreement is still needed.

“As far as I’m concerned, that federal consent decree is written in blood — the blood of those who have been brutally murdered at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department,” she said.

The motion to dismiss the case and effectively quash that agreement comes as the city and its residents are marking five years since Floyd’s murder. It also follows a progress report by the state court-appointed monitor for the agreement with the state, which found some positive change.

“While the Department of Justice walks away from their federal consent decree nearly five years from the murder of George Floyd, our Department and the state court consent decree isn’t going anywhere,” Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said in a statement.

“Under the state agreement, the City and MPD must make transformational changes to address race-based policing. The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated. And our Department will be here every step of the way,” she said.

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Minnesota’s former top public safety official says reform has stalled

Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin / MPR News — Tue, 20 May 2025 19:35:38 GMT

ST. PAUL — Sunday, May 25, marks five years since Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of George Floyd for 9 1/2 minutes, killing him. The incident sparked outrage not only across the state of Minnesota but worldwide.

One of the key figures taking heat as the public called for better policing and public accountability was Minnesota’s Public Safety Commissioner at the time, John Harrington.

Harrington rose to prominence as St. Paul’s police chief, then as the head of the Metro Transit police force. He also served a short stint as a member of the Minnesota State Senate for the 2011-2012 legislative session.

Days after Floyd’s death, Harrington was one of the first public officials to call Chauvin’s act murder.

“Never … in any of (my) training, had I ever seen anyone kneel on someone’s neck,” Harrington told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Monday’s “Morning Edition.”

These days, Harington works in the private sector as the CEO of MicroGrants and Lights On, which aims to take the “potential confrontation” of a traffic stop and turn it into a positive interaction.

Harrington joined Wurzer to reflect on Floyd’s murder, five years ago.

The interview below had been lightly edited for clarity.

Take us back to 2020. Where were you when you learned of George Floyd’s death?

I was actually in the office, and I remember getting the call from Rondo — Medaria Arradondo — chief of police from Minneapolis, who called me and said that there was a video that I might want to take a look at.

And that was the first indication of what was going to be probably one of the most significant events in Minnesota’s policing history. And it continued the work that actually the attorney general and I had started a year before that with the Deadly Force Encounters Working Group.

You were one of the first public officials to call this a murder, days after Darnella Frazier’s video went viral. What stood out to you that made you say that?

I’d been a police officer for — by that point — almost 40 years. I had taught defensive tactics, and never in my career, never in any of the training, had I ever seen anyone kneel on someone’s neck.

When somebody is in custody, they are under your care, and it is your responsibility as a peace officer to take care of them. And what I saw there didn’t meet any of those criteria. And it clearly seemed to me to be not accidental. It seemed very clearly to be intentional.

And in my mind, the taking of a life intentionally equated to murder.

How are you feeling about reform moving forward?

I’m feeling guardedly optimistic, although, in today's climate, it is optimism is sometimes hard to come by.

In the aftermath, Minnesota was able to push through legislation that Attorney General Ellison and I had proposed as part of the working group on reducing deadly force encounters. And I felt really good at that time that we were moving in the right direction, but I haven’t seen that momentum or that initiative continue forward.

I would have expected by now to see even greater work in that area, and so I think that is where my optimism may be a little blunted at this point.

You now work in the private sector, but you’re still focused on public safety. When you made the career transition, what were you thinking about?

That I was getting close to 70 years old and it was probably time for younger voices to be heard. And I, perhaps, am now at my senior status, where I do get calls occasionally when folks have questions about how to make things happen, and, “How would you do things?”

And a lot of what we’re still seeing from the new young chiefs like Booker Hodges down in Bloomington, Joe Dotseth at Metro Transit, Axel Henry in St. Paul and others, is a recommitment to community. And I think that is really the smart play.

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