Tag: Sheriff 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.

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

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”

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.