Overview

The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) administration strives to 

• Maintain employees' professional integrity
• Create an organization with superior performance

The department has a decentralized command structure:

• Chief
• Assistant Chief
• Chief of Staff
• Deputy Chiefs
• Precinct Inspectors
• Commanders

Chief Medaria Arradondo

Appointed in 2017, Chief Medaria Arradondo is the 53rd Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

The Chief is an active member of several community boards and national and international police associations. As the MPD’s liaison with the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice organization, he has led initiatives on

• Procedural justice
• Implicit bias
• Reconciliation training

Chief Arradondo's career at the MPD includes the following highlights:

• He joined the MPD in 1989 as a patrol officer in the 4th Precinct.
• He worked his way up the ranks before being named the Inspector of the 1st Precinct in 2013.
• Before being appointed Chief by the mayor in 2017, he served in the following roles:
  • School resource officer
  • Northside beat officer
  • Commander of the Internal Affairs Unit
  • Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief

Contact Chief Arradondo

Assistant Chief Michael Kjos

Assistant Chief Mike Kjos leads the department’s day-to-day operations and oversees the Patrol Bureau. Reporting directly to the Chief, he also:

• Oversees the other Bureau Chiefs
• Provides the Chief with information on department strategies and operations
• Helps the Chief maintain the core missions of the department

Assistant Chief Kjos' storied career includes the following highlights:

• Kjos started with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in April 1988. He served as a patrol officer and supervisor in the 1st, 3rd and 4th precincts.
• In 2012, he was named the 4th Precinct Inspector.
• In 2015, he became 1st Precinct Inspector.
• Kjos returned to the 4th Precinct as an Inspector and later became the Deputy Chief of the Patrol Bureau. Chief Arradondo promoted Kjos to lead as the Assistant Chief.

Contact Assistant Chief Kjos

Deputy Chief of Patrol Erick Fors

Deputy Chief of Patrol Erick Fors oversees patrol operations for the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD's):

• Five police precincts
• Special Operations and Intelligence Division, which includes the
  • Emergency Preparedness Unit
  • Special Operations Unit
  • Strategic Information Center

Fors' career overview:

• He joined the MPD in 1998.
• He has worked in the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Precincts.
• Fors has served in many roles, including:
  • Field Training Officer
  • Crisis Intervention Team member
  • Backgrounds Investigator
  • Juvenile Investigator
  • Homicide Investigator
• Prior to being named Deputy Chief of Investigations, Fors was the Commander of the Violent Crimes Investigations Division. He led the Group Violence Intervention project and the Department’s U Visa Program. 

Contact Deputy Chief Fors

Deputy Chief of Professional Standards Henry Halvorson

Deputy Chief Henry Halvorson leads many of the internal aspects of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), including

• Training
• Internal Affairs
• Records Information
• Property and Evidence
• The Business Technology Unit

Additional highlights from Deputy Chief Halvorson's career:

• He joined the MPD as a cadet in the Police Academy in 1992.
• Halvorson served as a patrol officer in the 2nd and 3rd Precincts. He also was an investigator in Public Housing, Sex Crimes and Internal Affairs.
• As a Lieutenant, he was a supervisor in both the 1st Precinct and the Internal Affairs Unit.
• Halvorson has been recognized at the national level as a leader with the Native American Law Enforcement Summit (NALES). 

Contact Deputy Chief Halvorson

Deputy Chief of lnvestigations Kathy Waite

Deputy Chief of Investigations Kathy Waite oversees the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD’s) Investigative Bureau. The bureau:

• Includes all investigative units under the Violent Crimes and Special Crimes Investigations Divisions.
• Provides comprehensive investigative services, including
  • Case management
  • Victim support
  • Preparation of evidence for court

Deputy Chief Waite's career overview:

• She joined the MPD in 1993.
• She has served in a variety of roles, including Precinct Inspector in two precincts.
• Waite held positions in the K9 Unit and the Crisis Negotiator Team.
• She became an Inspector in 2013 in the 2nd Precinct. 
• She also served as Inspector in the 5th Precinct.

Contact Deputy Chief Waite

Inspector Bill Peterson

Inspector Bill Peterson commands the the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD's) 1st Precinct. The 1st Precinct serves downtown Minneapolis and is headquarters to:

• Patrol Officers
• Precinct Investigations
• Community Response Team
• Community Crime Prevention / SAFE Teams
• Mounted Patrol and Arson Units that provide citywide services

Inspector Peterson has served the citizens of Minneapolis since 1995. His career highlights include:

• As an officer, he worked in the 3rd Precinct and the STOP Patrol Unit. He also was a member of the MPD’s SWAT Unit for 10 years.
• He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2007 and served as an investigator in the Robbery Unit.
• He was a street supervisor in the 4th Precinct and a supervisor in the Special Operations Division.
• In 2015, Peterson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He led Pre-Service Training and oversaw the Academy.
• He transferred to the 1st Precinct and served as the day watch shift Lieutenant.

Inspector Peterson has an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Northland Community College. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science from St. Mary’s University.

Read about the 1st Precinct

Inspector Todd Loining

As the 2nd Precinct Inspector, Todd Loining and his officers proudly serve the 19 neighborhoods that make up the Northeast section of Minneapolis.

Inspector Loining:

• Started with the MPD in 1993 as an officer in the 2nd Precinct.
• Served in the Domestic Assault and Internal Affairs units.
• Was named Inspector of the 5th Precinct in 2014 before moving to the 2nd Precinct.

Read about the 2nd Precinct

Inspector Sean McGinty

Inspector Sean McGinty commands the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD’s) 3rd Precinct. This precinct is headquarters for

• Patrol Officers
• Precinct Investigations
• The Community Response Team

Inspector McGinty began his career with the MPD in 1996. His career highlights include the following:

• As an officer, he worked in the 4th Precinct and on the 4th Precinct Community Response Team.
• In 2006, Inspector McGinty was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He worked as a street supervisor in the 3rd Precinct and as an investigator in the Robbery Unit.
• In 2013, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He served as a patrol Lieutenant in both the 3rd and 4th Precincts. He later transferred to the Robbery Unit, where he supervised robbery investigations.
• Beginning in 2015, McGinty served in the Strategic Information Center.
• In addition to his regular duties, he has commanded the distinguished MPD Honor Guard since 2015.

Read about the 3rd Precinct

Inspector Kelvin Pulphus

As the 4th Precinct Inspector, Kelvin Pulphus continues the service he provided as the Lieutenant of the following teams:

• Procedural Justice Unit
• Community Engagement Team
• Community Navigators

Inspector Pulphus began his career with the MPD in 1992 and has vast experience throughout the department.

Read about the 4th Precinct

Inspector Amelia Huffman

Inspector Amelia Huffman commands the 5th Precinct. This precinct covers 20 neighborhoods in the southwest corner of the city. During her long history with the 5th Precinct, Huffman has served as a:

• Patrol officer
• Member of the Community Response Team
• Shift lieutenant

Inspector Huffman brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her career highlights:

• She joined the MPD in 1994.
• She rose through the ranks with assignments in the 3rd and 5th Precincts, investigations and administration.
• She served as an investigator in:
  • The Financial Crimes Unit
  • The Crimes Against Children Unit
  • Internal Affairs
• She served as the Public Information Officer and commander of the Homicide and Licensing Units.
• Inspector Huffman was promoted to the rank of Captain and commanded the Criminal Investigations Division before that rank was abolished in 2013.

Read about the 5th Precinct

Commander Scott Gerlicher

Commander Scott Gerlicher leads the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD's) Special Operation and Intelligence Division. The division provides the department with intelligence and analysis needed for the distribution of resources.

Commander Gerlicher started with the MPD in 1993 in the 5th Precinct. His rise through the ranks has included serving in the Homicide Unit and in roles as the 3rd Precinct Inspector and the Deputy Chief in charge of the Office of Professional Standards.

Commander Chris Granger

As the MPD's Administrative Services Division Commander, Chris Granger oversees:

• The Body Worn Camera Quality Assurance Program
• Health & Wellness
• Research & Policy Development

Prior to his current role, Commander Granger was in charge of the Violent Crimes Investigations Division (VCID).

Other highlights from Commander Granger's career:

• He started with the MPD in 1994 in the 5th Precinct.
• He has held patrol and supervisor positions in the 4th Precinct.
• Commander Granger was a member of the SWAT Team and the Homicide Unit.
• He was tapped to lead the Internal Affairs Unit in 2013.

Commander Jason Case

Commander Jason Case oversees the MPD's Office of Strategic Management. The office analyzes policies and data to:

• Create more effective strategies
• Better manage department resources

Highlights from Commander Case's career:

• He started with the MPD in the 2nd Precinct in 1997.
• He worked in the 3rd and 4th Precincts.
• Case was then promoted to serve as the Commander of the Leadership and Organizational Development Division (LODD). 
• Next he served as the Commander in charge of the MPD’s Internal Affairs Division (IAD).
• He then oversaw the department's Violent Crimes Investigations Division (VCID) before moving to his current leadership role.

Commander Travis Glampe

Commander Travis Glampe began leading our Technology & Support Services Division in 2017. He focuses on department integrity and oversees a number of units, including:

• Business Technology Unit
• Intellectual Properties
• Property and Evidence Unit
• Fleet services
• Records and Information Unit

Commander Glampe began his career with the MPD in 1995 as a patrol officer in the 3rd Precinct.

Commander Charlie Adams

Commander Charlie Adams leads the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Violent Crimes Division (VCID). As Commander of the VCID, he oversees a division that includes:

• Homicide
• Robbery
• Assault
• The Crime Lab

Commander Adams began his MPD career in 1987. He has served in:

• Four of the city’s five police precincts,
• The Juvenile Unit,
• The Homicide Unit
• The Internal Affairs Unit

Commander Giovanni Veliz

Commander Giovanni Veliz leads the Special Crimes Investigations Division (SCID), which includes the following:

• Domestic Assault Unit
• Sex Crimes Unit
• Crimes Against Children Unit
• Traffic Investigations
• Licensing Unit

Commander Veliz' additional career highlights:

• He started with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in 1992.
• As an Officer, he has worked in the 3rd Precinct, 4th Precinct, Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force, Organized Crime Unit and the SAFE Unit.
• In 1998, Commander Veliz was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 
• He worked in the SAFE Unit, 5th Precinct Community Response Team, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police, Mediation Compliance, 5th Precinct patrol supervisor and 5th Precinct Investigations.
• After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2011, Commander Veliz served at the 3rd Precinct as a patrol Lieutenant, Property Crimes Unit and Juvenile Outreach and Diversion Unit.
• He also held the role of Executive Director for the Police Activities League and most recently served in the MPD’s new U Visa Program.

Commander Katie Blackwell

As Commander of the Training Unit, Katie Blackwell oversees Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD's):

• In-Service Training
• Academy
• Field Training Officer (FTO) Program
• Leadership and Professional Development programs

Commander Blackwell's career highlights also include the following:

• She began her career with the MPD in 2000 as a Community Service Officer.
• Commander Blackwell most recently was a Lieutenant in the MPD’s Training Unit, where she:
  • Developed a comprehensive Leadership Course for recently promoted Sergeants and Lieutenants
  • Restructured the FTO program
  • Created FTO Development Courses

Commander Thomas Wheeler

Commander Thomas Wheeler leads the Internal Affairs (IA) Unit. He began his career with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in 1993.

Commander Wheeler's career highlights include the following:

• As a patrol officer for 14 years in the 5th Precinct, he worked on the night watch and Directed Patrol shifts. He also was a member of the Precinct’s Community Response Team.
• In 2007, Commander Wheeler was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a Sergeant, he worked as an investigator in the Juvenile Unit, where he was also detailed as a Lieutenant. As a Sergeant, he also worked as an investigator in the Internal Affairs Unit.
• In addition to his regular duties, he was a member of the Mounted Patrol Unit for five years.
• Commander Wheeler was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2015, where he was a shift Lieutenant in the 4th Precinct. He also worked as a Lieutenant in In-Service Training and the Internal Affairs Unit before being appointed the Commander of Internal Affairs.

Commander Wheeler has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology of Law from the University of Minnesota.

Director Shannon Johnson

As Director of the Forensics Division, Shannon Johnson leads a unit of nine sworn officers and 27 civilian staff members. The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Crime Lab is one of only five accredited in Minnesota. Johnson's cohesive team collects evidence, develops leads and works with investigators to solve crimes. 

Lab sections include:

• Firearms
• Video
• Computer forensics, including cell phones
• Field operations
• Fingerprinting
• Photo lab
• Forensic garage

Johnson joined the crime lab in 2006 as a forensic scientist in the field operations unit.