Minneapolis Council rejects Bill Peterson’s nomination for police chief

Our top story today, Minneapolis City Council members deny the nomination of MPD Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson. And the vote was eight to five, and the decision came as a bit of a shock to some. Fox 9's Karen Scullin joining us live now after being in chambers all day to hear why some council members were against this nomination. So what happened, Karen? Well, I had an inkling that this was going to happen, or at least that the vote was going to be close. But with this city council, you never really know until it's done. There are five ayes and eight nays. That motion fails. Now what? That's the biggest question hanging over all of this after the well-liked interim police chief Bill Peterson was denied as permanent chief by the Minneapolis City Council. I cannot overstate the operational impact that this has on the Minneapolis Police Department for... Months if not years to come. It seems like all council members agreed that Peterson had an incredible 31 years of service with MPD. No sustained complaints, a lot of recognition, well respected by rank and file and the community. It troubles me that interim chief Peterson seems to be presently being held accountable for mistakes that he didn't make. For experiences that he didn't have. And for dark marks on his record that quite simply aren't there. There were several reasons though council members were giving for their no votes. When the chief was asked if he ever witnessed any negative comments or behavior by officers concerning race, the gay and trans community and others, Peterson said he didn't doubt that it happened but that he couldn't recall any specific incidents that he actually witnessed. Two council members insinuated they didn't believe him. You have continued to double down on this claim that you've never personally witnessed it throughout your more than 30 years of being with MPD. That does raise a fundamental question, or were you genuinely unable to recognize that discriminatory culture around you, or are you unwilling to acknowledge it? You can articulate to me that you have had your growing pains and different things or what have you, but I would receive it to be more notable for you to say, yes, I have been I have been wrong or I have been, you know. I've said some things that may have offended some people, but I know how to fix it with folks. I know how to repair and to right my wrongs. That one thing that I've heard you say. Councilmember Vita said she respected Peterson's service. She just thought there was a better candidate in Deputy Chief Charlie Adams. But I have a responsibility to be honest about my assessment of this process and the candidate I believe should have been selected. Today, I will be voting no. I wanna be clear that my vote is about this nomination and this moment. It is not a personal judgment of you, interim chief. And it does not change my commitment to working with whoever leads this department. All right, so now what does come next? Well, first of all, Interim Chief Peterson has to decide if he wants to remain on as Interim Chief. The mayor has to decide if he's going to try to veto, if he's going to pick another candidate. We are told, as for tomorrow, Interim Chief Bill Peterson remains on as Interim Chief. In Minneapolis, Karen Scullin, Fox 9. All right, Karen, thank you.