Tag: Hennepin County Sheriff

Hennepin County Sheriff: Statement on Chauvin Verdict

Hennepin County Sheriff Logo

Yesterday, a jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers in Hennepin County found him guilty of murder. He was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

While nothing can bring George Floyd back to life or fully heal the pain felt by his family, friends, and community, we hope this outcome brings at least some solace.

In no uncertain terms, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office supports the jury in their decision to convict. Those of us in law enforcement have sworn an oath to serve and protect. Most sworn law enforcement officers think seriously about this oath each and every day. Those who do not or cannot live up to these words have no place in this profession.

Derek Chauvin’s conviction is an important moment, but there is much work to be done. Every day, the men and women of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office are working hard on new initiatives to make positive change. We eagerly await having conversations with members of the community and hearing their thoughts. We look forward to a better tomorrow for everyone.

Take care of yourselves and one another,

– Sheriff David P. Hutchinson

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to Participate in the United States Attorney Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force

We are proud to partner with local, state and federal law enforcement in a new Violent Crimes Task Force announced today to stop the dramatic increase in violence in the Twin Cities.

We will provide intelligence expertise to this critical cause, helping the task force pinpoint the people responsible and offering the best ways to disrupt them.

As always, our goal is to make the streets safer in a way that builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

We must all work together to put an end to the violence.

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

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.

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.

Dave Hutchinson’s uphill fight to take down a conservative sheriff

The following article by Hannah Jones was posted on the CityPages website March 28, 2018:

He says Hennepin County has a Trump fan running the sheriff’s department, but most people don’t know it.

Dave Hutchinson is a lawman. He’s been a Metro Transit Police officer for 15 years, and for the last five, a sergeant. These days, he spends a lot of time making calls and sending letters, because he’s running for sheriff.

He’s got a straightforward platform. He wants to change the way Hennepin County hires officers, which right now, is basically a written test and an interview with the sheriff and HR. Instead, he wants three full-on hearings by three different panels of law enforcement, county staff, and trusted civilians.

He also wants to make things better for Hennepin County Jail staff by hiring more corrections officers, and not forcing cops to work overtime in jail when they’d rather be patrolling. Continue reading “Dave Hutchinson’s uphill fight to take down a conservative sheriff”