Police chief stands down....
Minneapolis in turmoil after police chief quits, mayor ousted from press event over Justine Damond’s death.
INVESTIGATORS are questioning a cyclist who witnessed and filmed the aftermath of the shooting of Justine Damond as the police officer behind her killing maintains his silence.
A statement just released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says the witness is a cyclist who was riding east along West 51 Street as the shooting unfolded, and stopped to watch as officers sought to revive Ms Diamong after she had been shot in the stomach.
(not sprint I hope)....
“The individual has been cooperative and provided an interview today,” the statement reads.
But the police officer at the centre of the controversy has again refused to talk.
“Officer Mohamed Noor has not provided a statement regarding the incident and has declined to be interviewed by BCA agents,” the statement says. “Officer Noor’s attorney has not provided any update about when, if ever, an interview would be possible. Under the law, the BCA cannot compel the testimony of the officer.”
PROTESTERS PUSH MAYOR ASIDE
Protesters have pushed aside Minneapolis’ mayor at a press conference, demanding her resignation and police reform after the killing of Ms Damond.
Mayor Betsy Hodges was attempting to address the media following the announcement she had ‘lost confidence’ in Chief of Police Janee Harteau, and had nominated a replacement.
The crowd of protesters had cheered news of Chief Janee Harteau’s resignation as they gathered in the city’s Loring Park. Several hundred people of mixed race and age turned out for the Black Lives Matter march before moving to City Hall.
They shouted-down Mayor Hodges while waving signs with the phrases “Messy Betsy” and “You are next” on them and chanted “Bye-bye Betsy.” One man wore a cap with “Philando” on it, referring to black motorist Philando Castile, who was shot to death last year by a suburban officer during a traffic stop.
Hodges eventually gave up and left.
Protesters later filed out of the council room, allowing the mayor to return.
Hodges later told media said she understands the public’s frustrations, but “I will not be resigning.”
POLICE CHIEF QUITS
Earlier Chief Harteau issued a statement saying the killing of Australian Justine Damond had caused her to step aside for a ‘fresh set of leadership eyes’.
In a statement posted on the Minneapolice police department’s website, Harteau said the tragedy had caused her to ‘engage in deep reflection’.
“The recent incidents do not reflect the training and procedures we developed as a department,” she says. “(But) I have to put the communities we serve first ... the city of Minneapolis deserves the best.”
Harteau, who worked her way up from the bottom of the department to become the city’s first female, first openly gay and first Native American police chief, said she was proud of the work she accomplished and honored to serve as chief.
Her resignation comes just a day after she implored the officer behind the shooting, Mohamed Noor, to come forward and speak about the incident.
“I would prefer he would talk — there are questions that need to be answered and only he can answer them,” she said.
The investigation is being hampered by a lack of video evidence, with neither officer having turned on their uniform bodycams either during or after the shooting — despite police policy.
Chief Hartneau said the department was reviewing its video policy as a result of Ms Damond’s death.
She also admitted the tragedy had made people frightened to call police.
“Although disheartening I understand the fear and why it exists. This has had a negative impact on the community trust we’ve built.”
Chief Harteau has been criticised for remaining on holidays for four days after Ms Damond was killed.
MAYOR ‘LOSES CONFIDENCE’
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said she asked for the chief’s resignation.
“As far as we have come, I’ve lost confidence in the Chief’s ability to lead us further,” Hodges said.
(red lost ability to expect the honourable chief to continue the quotas policy of the city under the mayor)....
“From the many conversations I’ve had with people around our city, especially this week, it is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well.
“For us to continue to transform policing — and community trust in policing — we need new leadership at MPD.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/us-police-chief-says-australian-woman-jus...