Tag: Dave Hutchinson

Anoka and Hennepin county sheriff’s offices suspend role in federal task force whose members fatally shot man in Uptown

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Camera policy creates rift with agencies. 

Two more Minnesota law enforcement agencies are suspending their participation with the federal task force whose members fatally shot Winston Smith Jr. in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood last week.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will no longer participate until local law enforcement are allowed to wear body cameras while on the task force, Fox 9 reported Tuesday night.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office will also suspend its participation, Tierney Peters, community relations coordinator, said in an e-mail on Tuesday. Continue reading.

Sheriff Hutchinson’s Commitment to Law Enforcement that Justly Serves All Communities

To the Residents of Hennepin County:

As your elected Sheriff, I am responsible for leading over 800 employees in the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. As a full-service law enforcement agency our work includes: 911 Dispatch, Patrol, Criminal Intelligence, Investigations, Forensic Sciences Lab, Warrants, Jail, Court Security, Community Outreach and Civil Process.

Like you, I was outraged by the murder of George Floyd. His tragic death has unified people across the nation to demand change in a criminal justice system that, historically, has disproportionately impacted black, indigenous and people of color. As a law enforcement officer, I swore an oath and have dedicated my life to ensuring all those who live, work or visit Hennepin County are safe and treated with respect. I ran for Sheriff because I heard from community members across the county about their desire for change. A resounding concern I heard was the absolute right of equal treatment from law enforcement, no matter the color of your skin or your economic status. From the day I was sworn into office, I started this important work, and made many necessary changes to ensure we fulfill this right to our communities. But we need to continue our work to reform law enforcement. I am committed to working with the community to bring about this change through listening, fostering dialogue and continually and thoroughly reviewing office policies and procedures. Continue reading “Sheriff Hutchinson’s Commitment to Law Enforcement that Justly Serves All Communities”

Message from Sheriff Hutchinson: May 31, 2020

This has been one of the most challenging weeks in our community’s history. We know that most of you are feeling emotionally drained. We are too. But I’ll be out on the streets with my deputies tonight and every night to help keep the peace. We are working shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement officers from across the state and the National Guard. It’s a unified, organized front with the goal of protecting our community from a violent element bent on destruction.

At the same time, all over Hennepin County, we have seen an outpouring of support from citizens that is staggering. People are making sure that streets are cleaned and that those in need are sheltered, clothed and fed.

On behalf of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, thank you to everyone who has worked to help their neighbors in this extraordinarily difficult time.

Right now, the only thing we ask of you is to stay home – abide by the curfew. My pledge to you is that we will continue to provide the public safety services that are worthy of this great community.

– Sheriff Hutchinson

Update from Sheriff Hutchinson: May 30, 2020

I will be out once again with my deputies tonight to try and keep the peace and keep people safe.

We understand peoples’ frustrations and respect protesters’ First Amendment rights to publicly grieve the tragic death of George Floyd.

But we can’t allow the coordinated criminal behavior and the destruction of property and livelihoods any longer. Continue reading “Update from Sheriff Hutchinson: May 30, 2020”

Message from Sheriff Hutchinson

Last night, my deputies and I were on duty at the Hennepin County Government Center when a group of demonstrators took a knee and held a minute-long moment of silence for George Floyd. It was a very powerful moment. These protestors, though upset, were peaceful and respectful.

Sadly, our great community suffered a tremendous amount of property damage when some people turned a righteous display of anger into a criminal display of bad behavior. This must stop. People should voice their outrage without harming the property and livelihoods of people who are already struggling to get by in an extraordinarily challenging time.

As the elected Sheriff of Hennepin County, I know how important it is to reflect the values of the community we all serve. The mission of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is “Serving and protecting all in our community by furthering equal justice, safety, and wellness.” Our job is to care for and protect the people in our community, no matter what they look like, where they come from, or their status in life. By following our mission, we will honor the memory of George Floyd.

– Sheriff David Hutchinson

No, really, there’s a new sheriff in town. This is what he did on his first day.

Dave Hutchinson took the oath of office to succeed former Hennepin County sheriff Rich Stanek Monday afternoon. Credit:
Jessica Lee, MinnPost

Shots were fired, decades-old laws discussed and new ways to make transgender inmates feel more comfortable in jail were contemplated — all within the first few hours of Dave “Hutch” Hutchinson’s tenure as Hennepin County Sheriff this week.

On Monday, in front of a welcoming crowd at the Hennepin County Government Center, Hutchinson took the oath of office to succeed former sheriff Rich Stanek, who led the department for 12 years. In what was his first speech as an elected official, Hutchinson — who previously worked as a sergeant in Metro Transit Police Department — reaffirmed a campaign promise to improve how the agency interacts with the public and treats its employees.

“We’re here to protect you; we’re here to have you chase your dreams; we’re here to make sure that you never give up,” Hutchinson said at the ceremony.

View the complete January 9 article by Jessica Lee on the MinnPost website here.

New Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson hits ground running on first full day

New Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson checked out the Hennepin County Jail with his director of communications Jeremy Zoss. Credit: Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Wherever he stopped during the day, Dave Hutchinson repeated his campaign promise to be “a sheriff that truly represents all residents.”

A couple of workers patched holes and brushed beige paint Tuesday morning on the walls of Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson’s new office. He had already met with deputies and been assigned an e-mail address, and a colorful Post-it note with his name was stuck outside the office door to identify the occupant.

So it was on the sheriff’s first full day in office as he stepped into a position held by Rich Stanek for the last 12 years. And if Hutchinson felt overwhelmed making the leap from Metro Transit police sergeant to head of the largest sheriff’s office in Minnesota, he did a good job hiding it.

Maybe that’s why he decided the first stop of the day would be the North Metro Range in Maple Grove, where he tested for his yearly duty weapon qualification.

View the complete January 8 article by David Chanen on The Star Tribune website here.

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek decides against a recount

The race for Hennepin County sheriff pitted challenger Dave Hutchinson, left, against incumbent Rich Stanek. Credit: Star Tribune file

Dave Hutchinson, who will take office Jan. 8, said he would announce his transition team Wednesday morning.

The Hennepin County sheriff’s race is finally over.

Sheriff Rich Stanek on Tuesday declined to ask for a manual recount, a move that would have cost him $95,000. He had seven days to request a recount after the county canvassing board certified David Hutchinson the winner.

He also considered proceeding with an election contest, which would have consisted of a lawsuit challenging election results, said his campaign chairman Steve Wise. At issue were the 60,000 votes cast in Minneapolis by people registering the same day as the election, he said.

Dave Hutchinson Poised To Become First Openly Gay Sheriff In Midwest

The 39-year-old progressive appears to have narrowly defeated pro-Trump Sheriff Rich Stanek in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Dave “Hutch” Hutchinson on Wednesday appeared to have narrowly defeated three-term incumbent Sheriff Rich Stanek in Hennepin County, Minnesota, all but guaranteeing his title as the first openly gay sheriff in the Midwest.

After an incredibly tight race, the 39-year-old veteran police officer declared an unofficial victory over Stanek, a President Donald Trump supporter whose critics say he was too amenable to federal immigration authorities.

By early Wednesday morning, 100 percent of the county’s precincts had reported their election results, suggesting Hutchinson had won roughly 2,300 more votes than Stanek, a former Minnesota House Republican.

View the complete November 7 article by Hayley Miller on the Huffington Post website here.