Retiring Police Chief Dolan to aid groups on gun control

Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan, who retired Friday after six years as chief, said he'll spend some of his newfound spare time doing volunteer work for "reasonable" gun control groups.

"It's always been a passion of mine," he said of gun control. "I worked at it quite a bit as chief, and there's a lot of work still to be done."

Dolan said he plans to help the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington, D.C., the Joyce Foundation in Chicago and a local group, Protect Minnesota: Working to End Gun Violence.

Heather Martens, executive director of Protect Minnesota, said she met with Dolan on Wednesday at his office to discuss what he will do for her group.

"I think, basically, he will be a resource on gun policy ... and give feedback on legislation," Martens said. "He has always been a voice for preventing gun violence."

At a Minneapolis City Council meeting Friday, Mayor R.T. Rybak, who appointed Dolan, praised him for reducing crime in the city by building community partnerships. Rybak said he owes Dolan "a huge, huge debt."

Dolan, a Police Department member for the past 30 years, also was honored at a private reception Friday at Jax Cafe in Minneapolis hosted by his office staff, including his successor, Janeé Harteau. Many officers, almost all in civilian clothes, and some retirees and government officials attended.

Asked what she thinks of her new responsibilities, she said, "I'm a realist. It's a big move. I don't exactly know what it means until I am sitting in the chair."

Meanwhile, Dolan said he will continue as a member of the board of trustees of De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, where he was a 1973 graduate.

He said he also plans to continue doing some work for the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C., organization that advises law enforcement agencies on policing issues.

And he'll keep playing ice hockey with fellow police officers and other groups.

Last month, Dolan presided at a quarterly gathering honoring officers and civilians for bravery and public service. He acknowledged afterward that he realized it would be the last time he'd be handing out awards.

Randy Furst • 612-673-4224