Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau announced last week the creation of a new position in the Minneapolis Police Department to build connections between police and minority communities.

The "complex position," as police called it in a news release, will be filled by Sherman Patterson, most recently public safety policy aide to outgoing Mayor R.T. Rybak for the past 7 ½ years.

Patterson has a bachelor of science degree in human services and a master's degree in public safety administration from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Patterson, who will report directly to Harteau, will work with minority populations with an emphasis on young people and on reducing gun violence.

"Sherman lives in the community and has the proven ability to build partnerships from the grassroot level," Harteau said in the release. "His professionalism and experiences will make him a great asset to the police department in furthering our community-police partnerships."

STAFF REPORT