Arradondo: Don't interfere with Minneapolis police officers who are doing their jobs
The chief of the Minneapolis Police Department is asking people not to interfere with officers who are doing their jobs.
During a news conference Tuesday, Chief Medaria Arradondo said officers and EMT personnel crews have been interfered with while performing life-saving measures. In one instance, officers had bottles and rocks thrown at them while they were trying to administer NARCAN to someone who had overdosed.
"While I understand many in our community are understandably experiencing grief, pain and frustration, officers have recently experienced situations that have become problematic," Arradondo said.
"As we continue to work with our communities to enact deep reforms within the Minneapolis Police Department, I'm also asking our community to not impede our officers while they are performing their lawful duties," he added. "It simply isn't right and it makes it difficult for those in our community who need services the most."
Arradondo thanked members of the Minneapolis Police Department for their dedication to serving the community, and also addressed reports that a large number of employees had left following George Floyd's death.
The Star Tribune reported on June 13 that seven officers have resigned since late May and more than half a dozen are in the process of leaving.
Arradondo confirmed during the June 16 news conference that seven employees have left since May 25, the day Floyd died after a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck, bringing the total number of officers who've left this year to 19.
According to MPR News, this is in line with a typical year when about 40 people leave the department.
The number of people who've left the department recently will not negatively impact public safety in Minneapolis, Arradondo said. He also thanked those who have chosen to leave the department, noting that these are unprecedented times.
