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Chief's e-mail to officers

Last update: March 1, 2007 - 9:26 PM

From: Dolan, Tim Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 12:03 PM To: All MPD (Public Info Only) Subject: Internal Investigation

To All Department members:

I was contacted by the media yesterday and asked about comments made by a MPD Lieutenant during an in-service training. Allegedly, this lieutenant implied or referred to Representative Keith Ellison as a terrorist - ostensibly because he is a Muslim. This same Lieutenant also questioned the ethics of any city that would hire a City Coordinator convicted of a misdemeanor crime. As Chief, I'd like to discuss these comments this with all of you as they greatly concern me.

It was appropriate that fellow classmates challenged these comments. We must, as a department, keep ourselves accountable while adhering to high standards of respect in matters of diversity. Further discussion is necessary to adequately address the concerns these comments raised. I will see to it that such dialog takes place.

The alleged comments, if they in fact they occurred, are unacceptable. Our department code of ethics states clearly that "[employees will] ....not use words or terms which hold any person, group or organization up to contempt." The reason for this code is that such statements are prejudicial and offensive to others. Prejudice is any unreasonable judgment or opinion toward an individual or group based on their race, creed, region, occupation, etc. Therefore, calling Representative Keith Ellison a terrorist is a prejudicial statement. The comment not only offends a U.S. Representative duly elected by the citizens of Minnesota, but more importantly, it offends our own officers of Muslim faith.

Was the comment about hiring a City Coordinator convicted of a misdemeanor prejudicial? Maybe not on it's face. But if the comment was said in the context of one's sexual orientation, this comment is also unacceptable as it prejudice. We do not know the Lieutenant's motivation for the comment. But I do question it since he currently is appealing my recent termination of an officer for a criminal conviction.

None of us are perfect. We all have prejudices. Prejudices are often blamed on ignorance, but often they are just the result of just not knowing or realizing that we all have general preferences and dislikes. It is human nature. However, humans have the ability to reason. If you endeavor to keep open mind and at least think about criticism with some introspection - you will be a better person and MPD Officer.

If these statements were made in the way they were relayed to me, I am disappointed and concerned. The allegations are not flattering to the MPD. I will have to make a public statement about the incident. The statement will be that we have heard the allegations and we have initiated an internal investigation for a violation of our Code of Conduct.

I am discussing this allegation with you because I believe we can benefit by the discussion. Please take time to discuss this incident at roll calls and with your co-workers.