Medaria Arradondo, Minneapolis’ first Black police chief, retires less than two years after George Floyd murder
Medaria Arradondo, the first Black police chief in Minneapolis, officially retired over the weekend, less than two years after George Floyd was murdered by an officer.
Arradondo, 54, had announced his retirement last month but had his last day on Saturday.
Arradondo started with Minneapolis police as a beat cop in 1989 and held a number of positions before he was named chief of police in 2017. Arradondo was also one of five high-ranking Black officers to sue the department for discrimination in 2007. The sides later settled.
Arradondo was thrust into the national spotlight after George Floyd was killed by officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020. Three other officers are still awaiting a state trial for their role in Floyd’s death.
“I believe that now is the right time to allow for new leadership, new perspective, new focus and new hope to lead the department forward in collaboration with our communities,” he said when announcing his retirement. “I am confident that the MPD has the leadership in place to advance this critically important work that lies ahead of us.”
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey said the chief has “embodied decency, community, and courage in his historic tenure” and “has been unabashed in his commitment to truth, justice and transparency.” Saturday was also dubbed Medaria Arradondo Day in the city.
“Chief Medaria Arradondo has helped shoulder some of the heaviest moments in our city’s history, showing up in his childhood community to be present with mourners at 38th and Chicago in the days following the murder of George Floyd,” the mayor’s office said.
With News Wire Services
