Nominee for police chief looks to make history amid myriad challenges

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - If Medaria Arradondo is confirmed tomorrow by the Minneapolis City Council, he will be making history as the department's first African-American police chief. 

It's a big moment that isn't lost on the almost 30-year veteran of the force, but he also knows he's inheriting a variety of challenges.

"There have been many African American leaders who have paved the way for myself and other African American officers to be in the positions we are in today," he said at a press conference Monday. "But I also know as chief of the Minneapolis police department I have 400,000 bosses."

With "major visions" for the department, including culture changes, increased accountability for actions and working toward better outcomes in police-community interactions. He's also asking for a full review of body camera policies in the wake of the police shooting of Justine Damond, in which neither Officer Mohamed Noor, who fired the fatal shot, or his partner had their body camera turned on. 

All of these things play a role in winning back public trust at a difficult time in the city's history.

"Each and every day our officers must go out there and earn that trust, one contact at a time," Arradondo said. "As I tell our officers, never underestimate the power of a moment. We have opportunities out there to build that trust."