Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau resigned on Friday nearly a week after one of the force’s officers fatally shot an unarmed Australian woman who had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her home.
“Last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents, have caused me to engage in deep reflection,” said Harteau, a 30-year veteran of the police department, in a statement. “The recent incidents do not reflect the training and procedures we’ve developed as a Department.”
“I’ve decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be,” she continued.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges asked for Harteau’s resignation.
“I’ve lost confidence in the chief’s ability to lead us further,” Hodges said in a statement. “It is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well.”
Mohamed Noor, the first Somali-American police officer in the police force’s history, fatally shot Justine Damond last weekend while responding to the assault call in an encounter that sparked protests in Minnesota and international outrage.
Damond was not the victim of the alleged assault that prompted her call to the police
The Minneapolis Department of Public Safety is investigating the shooting.
Noor has been placed on administrative leave.
