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In an interview with MPR News, Minneapolis police Chief Medaria Arradondo said keeping officers healthy, physically and mentally is among his top goals.

MPD Chief Arradondo talks on officer mental health

When Medaria Arradondo became chief of the Minneapolis police, the department was going through a turbulent time. Justine Ruszczyk had just been killed by a Minneapolis police officer, Mohamed Noor, and the debate on body camera use was in full swing. 

Having been a Minneapolis police officer for more than 30 years, Arradondo had built strong relationships in the department and out in the community. Many thought he could be the change they wanted to see, and Arradondo knew there was work to be done. 

"I knew we needed to do two things," Arradondo told Brandt Williams on MPR News. "One was we needed to truly transform the department and the culture of the MPD, and the other one was specifically rooted in trust. We're an organization that's 150 years old. We've done a lot of great things in that time but, self-admittedly, we've harmed communities in those 150 years."

For Arradondo, rebuilding those bridges, especially with communities of color, has been a priority. Growing up in Minneapolis, he said, he didn't see many police officers who looked like him, but those who were around helped inspire him to become a police officer. Now that he's the city's first black police chief, it's something he hasn't lost sight of. 

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"I feel like I have an affinity not only to the MPD but certainly to the communities we serve. There were so many groundbreaking, legendary and honorable African-Americans that paved the way for me to be in this position and have the opportunities that we have," Arradondo said. "If me being the first [black] chief of the Minneapolis Police Department inspires or provides opportunity for others, then I'm very grateful for that, but I also know that at the end of the day I'm going to be judged on delivering public safety." 

Keeping officers healthy, physically and mentally is among  Arradondo's top goals.  

"There's the saying that hurt people hurt people," he said. "I need to make sure that officers are just and well in doing this job." 

"There are inherent dangers that come along with this work, and our officers have to be trained in certain areas and aspects of situational awareness and firearm proficiency," Arradondo said. "But the No. 1 trade or tool ... is being adequate and good listeners, resource providers and public-safety servants."

 MPR's initiative to foster new conversations around mental health.

Brandt Williams

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Simone Cazares

Two years after becoming chief of the Minneapolis Police Department,  Medaria Arradondo spoke with Brandt Williams about his performance and his priorities.

Chief Medaria Arradondo has lead the Minneapolis Police Department for two years. He spoke to host Brandt Williams about where things stand and what he's working to change. "We're an organization that's 150 years old. We've done a lot of great things in that time but, self admittedly, we've harmed communities in those 150 years."

Medaria Arradondo looks back on 2 years as MPD chief

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