Minneapolis council rejects Barnette as public safety chief
The Minneapolis City Council narrowly rejected Mayor Jacob Frey’s bid to reappoint Toddrick Barnette as commissioner of the Office of Community Safety on Thursday, voting 6–7 against confirmation. Barnette, the former chief Hennepin County judge, had been sworn in to the post in October 2023, replacing Cedric Alexander at the helm of the office that oversees Minneapolis police, fire, 911 and related public safety operations. The no vote throws the city’s top civilian safety role back into flux at the exact moment Minneapolis is under the microscope from a looming federal consent decree, Metro Surge fallout, and persistent violent crime concerns. The article offers no explanation from council members for the rejection, but it signals a clear split between the mayor and a majority of the council over who should steer policing and public safety strategy going forward. For residents, it means another round of uncertainty and potential turnover in a position that has already seen rapid churn since 2020.
📌 Key Facts
- The Minneapolis City Council voted 6–7 against reappointing Toddrick Barnette as commissioner of the Office of Community Safety.
- Barnette had served in the role since October 2023, when he replaced former commissioner Cedric Alexander.
- The Office of Community Safety oversees Minneapolis Police, Fire and other core safety functions, so the failed reappointment leaves the city’s top civilian safety post in question.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, Minneapolis reported 77 homicide victims, up from previous years, contributing to ongoing public safety concerns.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
In Minnesota in 2024, Black individuals accounted for 98 out of 161 known homicide offenders (approximately 61%), despite comprising about 7% of the state's population.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
In Minnesota in 2024, Black individuals accounted for a disproportionate number of homicide victims, with statewide data showing overrepresentation relative to their 7% population share.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
In Minneapolis in 2022, Black residents, who make up 18% of the population, were suspects in 88% of homicides where the offender's race was known.
Maligning Minneapolis — City Journal
The racial composition of Minneapolis as of recent Census estimates is 60.3% White, 18.8% Black, 5.3% Asian, and 10.1% Hispanic or Latino.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Minneapolis city, Minnesota — U.S. Census Bureau
During Toddrick Barnette's tenure as Community Safety Commissioner, his department faced accusations of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in a safety initiative.
Minneapolis commissioner addresses fraud accusations in safety initiative — FOX 9
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