He never planned to become Minneapolis police chief; now he’s the mayor’s pick for the job

He never planned to become Minneapolis police chief; now he’s the mayor’s pick for the job Kamaria Braye KSTP MPD Interim Chief Bill Peterson (KSTP) Minneapolis  Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday formally nominated Interim Chief Bill Peterson to become the next chief of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).Peterson has led the department since former Chief Brian O’Hara left the position in May, prompting a national search for the city’s next top law enforcement leader.A 31-year veteran of the department, Peterson previously served as inspector of the First Precinct and has held leadership roles in patrol, investigations and training during his three decades with MPD.Why Frey chose PetersonDuring Friday’s announcement, Frey said Peterson emerged from a pool of about 20 applicants and stood out throughout the selection process.The city said the search included both internal and external candidates. However, the final four candidates all came from within MPD.Frey said the finalists were:PetersonDeputy Chief of Investigations, Charlie AdamsDeputy Chief of Professional Standards, Jonathon KingsburyAssistant Chief of Operations, Mark KlukowThe mayor said the city held community engagement sessions across Minneapolis.According to Frey, many residents wanted someone who had lived through the department’s challenges over the past six years and understood both the progress made and the work that remains.“The strong majority of constituents expressed a preference for an internal candidate,” Frey said.Frey also praised the department’s leadership bench.“We conducted four final interviews, and those four final interviews were among the best interviews that I have ever seen in my entire time as mayor,” Frey said.Ultimately, Frey said Peterson repeatedly rose to the top.“Throughout that process, one person kept coming up in conversations. One person kept on standing out, whether he wanted to initially or not. That was Interim Chief Bill Peterson.”Frey said Peterson had already proven he was capable of leading the department through difficult moments.“You had already been doing the work, you had already been earning that trust, and you had already been demonstrating the kind of leadership that we need right now in the Minneapolis Police Department,” Frey said.Peterson outlines prioritiesIf confirmed, Peterson said his initial focus will center on four priorities:Public safetyPublic trustAccountabilityEmployee Health & Wellness.“My commitment is to lead by listening, by strengthening trust, and by working alongside residents, community organizations, businesses, elected officials, our partners across the city enterprise, and our local, county, state and federal public safety partners,” Peterson said.Peterson said trust remains one of the department’s biggest responsibilities.“I understand that trust can be lost in an instant,” Peterson said. “Public trust is something we must earn, protect and continually strengthen.”He acknowledged that actions by the department in the past damaged relationships with residents and said rebuilding and maintaining trust must remain a priority.Peterson says becoming chief was never part of the planIn a one-on-one interview with 5 Eyewitness News, Peterson said becoming Minneapolis police chief was never part of his personal or professional plans.“I was very comfortable in my previous role as the First Precinct inspector,” Peterson said. “This was absolutely unexpected for me when I was asked by the mayor to consider taking the interim role.”Peterson said he initially declined the idea.“Because I was comfortable where I was at, it was easier for me to say, ‘No, I’m not interested.'”But after taking on the interim role, leading the department through several major incidents and building a leadership team, he gradually reconsidered.“I had no intention of becoming the permanent police chief,” Peterson said during Friday’s announcement. “But when the department needed someone to step forward, I answered that call.”Peterson said there was no single moment that changed his mind.“I wouldn’t say that there was a pivotal moment. Rather, it occurred over the course of time,” he said.He said encouragement from community members, department employees, city leaders and public safety partners ultimately convinced him to apply.“Over time, I listened to that and decided to eventually apply, to put my name in.”Peterson said his wife and three sons also encouraged him to pursue the permanent position.“I have three wonderful boys. One is 28, I have a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, and then a beautiful wife,” Peterson said. “Throughout this entire process, they’ve been extremely supportive.”What Peterson says he brings to the rolePeterson said one advantage of coming from within the department is the relationships he has built throughout Minneapolis during his 31-year career.“I didn’t have to run around and get to know members of the community,” Peterson said.“I didn’t have to get to know our public safety partners, whether it’s local, county, state or federal partners. I’ve been working with all of those individuals for many, many years.”Peterson said those relationships helped the department navigate several significant incidents during his time as interim chief.Peterson said staffing and trust remain some of the department’s most pressing concerns.“Staffing still continues to be a significant challenge for us,” Peterson said.“Although we are rebuilding, we still don’t have the number of personnel that we need. Certainly, we are working hard to get there, but we do need more officers.”When asked how he measures trust, Peterson pointed to his interactions with residents across the city.“I can tell you at one point those conversations weren’t positive,” Peterson said. “The feedback that we were getting from community members wasn’t positive.”P