Mayor Rybak: Minneapolis Safer with Chief Dolan
Mayor, Council President, Public Safety Chair Praise City Council’s Approval of Dolan’s Reappointment Today
March 12, 2010 (MINNEAPOLIS) – Mayor R.T. Rybak praised the City Council’s approval today of the reappointment of Police Chief Tim Dolan to a second three-year term as chief. The City Council voted 8-5 to approve Chief Dolan’s reappointment.
"Chief Dolan has led a strong reduction in crime in Minneapolis over the last three years, making our city dramatically safer by almost every measure. He has accomplished this not only by through smart, cutting-edge policing, but by building strategic partnerships with communities in every corner of our city.
"I especially appreciate that the Chief has been a full and unwavering partner, along with a wide range of community organizations and many other levels of government, in our successful efforts to reduce juvenile violence," Mayor Rybak continued.
Under Chief Dolan’s leadership, violent crime has declined 33%, falling three years in a row to its lowest level since 1982. In the same period, property crime has declined 24%, falling three years in a row to its lowest level since 1963.
"I’m grateful that the Council has given the chief and his strong leadership a vote of confidence to continue this important work. I’m recommitting myself and the chief to building on the partnerships that we’ve created to keep Minneapolis safe," Mayor Rybak concluded.
The mayor was joined in his praise of the Council’s action today by Council President Barbara Johnson and Council Member Don Samuels, chair of the Public Safety and Health Committee.
"I very much respect the support that Chief Dolan has in the community, and my constituents have remarked to me about the positive changes in our neighborhood and across the city," Council President Johnson said. "I attribute much of that change to his leadership, and I congratulate the Council for approving his reappointment today."
"The reconfirmation of Tim Dolan as Police Chief will ensure that the work that has led to the historic downward trends in crime — the partnership with groups supporting youth violence prevention, increases in minority hiring and outreach to communities of color — will continue," said Council Member Don Samuels. "My constituents want to live in a walkable, thriving and secure neighborhood, and public safety is crucial to that objective. Today’s vote to approve Chief Dolan will bring us closer to that goal."
The Council today also completed the reappointment process for Minneapolis City department directors, approving all the directors that Mayor Rybak renominated on February 3. Mayor Rybak will nominate a candidate for Civil Rights director in April.
Published Mar. 12, 2010