Lt. Bob Kroll wins race for Minneapolis police union presidency

Sometimes controversial, he won on a 423-184 vote.

March 31, 2017 at 3:51AM
Minneapolis Police Union President Bob Kroll at a March 30, 2016, press conference.
Minneapolis Police Union President Lt. Bob Kroll, shown last year, has won re-election. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minneapolis Police Lt. Bob Kroll won a second term as president of the union that represents city police officers.

In the final tally announced on Thursday, Kroll had a 423-184 vote edge over his opponent, officer Cory Fitch, officials said.

Throughout his re-election bid, Kroll insisted that he was running on his record as a staunch defender of rank-and-file cops. "I think the membership realized that," he said Thursday.

He dismissed Fitch's characterization of him as a divisive leader incapable of cooperating with department and city leadership. "We're involved in city politics very much and a lot of it is behind the scenes," Kroll said.

Kroll first won the job in May 2015 after decisively defeating longtime president John Delmonico, under whom he'd served as vice president since 2006. But the controversial Kroll has many critics — both at City Hall and among community advocates — who argue that he embodies a bygone era of policing.

Fitch, a 15-year veteran, will remain as the union board's secretary. Kroll said he intends to continue working closely with him.

"I respect the decision of the membership and graciously accept the election outcome," Fitch said.

Another board member, Sgt. Ron Stenerson, lost his re-election bid to Sgt. Steve Fogarty, while officer William Bjork, a Kroll ally, was ousted by officer Dean Milner.

The union represents the city's roughly 860 sworn officers, as well as park police officers. Its president serves a two-year term and collects about $29,000 a year in salary.

Police Chief Janeé Harteau, a frequent sparring partner of Kroll's, said their relationship has improved recently, pointing to their negotiation of a new police contract. "I will continue to give the Federation a seat at the table in our work together in partnership with our community to further enhance the service we provide and our leadership in procedural justice and 21st century policing," she said.

Libor Jany • 612-673-4064

Officer Cory Fitch is a 15-year veteran of the force
Officer Cory Fitch is a 15-year veteran of the force (Colleen Kelly/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minneapolis Police Union President Bob Kroll addressed the media Wednesday following the announcement that the two police officers involved in the shooting of Jamar Clark won't face charges. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRIBUNE) aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Minneapolis Police Union President Bob Kroll addressed the media Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at the Minneapolis Police Union Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn.
Kroll (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Libor Jany

Reporter

Libor Jany is the Minneapolis crime reporter for the Star Tribune. He joined the newspaper in 2013, after stints in newsrooms in Connecticut, New Jersey, California and Mississippi. He spent his first year working out of the paper's Washington County bureau, focusing on transportation and education issues, before moving to the Dakota County team.

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