As part of its continued efforts to beef up its community policing program, the Minneapolis Police Department this week announced a series of forums to better connect with the public.
The three forums, jointly sponsored by the department and the city of Minneapolis, will be held in various locations across the city and focus on moving "us all closer to our collective goal of increasing public safety and public trust," according to a news release.
The three forums will be held:
- Oct. 8 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 3801 1st Av. South, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.;
- Oct. 14 at Church of the Ascension, 1723 Bryant Av. North, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.;
- Oct. 30 at an yet-to-be-determined location in the Cedar–Riverside neighborhood, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Mayor Betsy Hodges on Friday defended the community-engagement record of police Chief Janeé Harteau, who has come under fire after pulling out of a listening session last week in south Minneapolis over security concerns.
But, in a blog posting Friday, the mayor conceded that Harteau could have done a better job explaining why she pulled out of the meeting at the last minute. It was the first time Hodges has publicly acknowledged a misstep by the chief, since Harteau took the job nearly two years ago.
The police department also unveiled "Chat With the Chief," an informal chance for citizens to get some face time with Harteau, the dates and locations for which have not been announced.
