By Elliott Ness
Eddie Frizell is the DFL-endorsed candidate for what is supposed to be the non-partisan office of Hennepin County Sheriff. For decades, Frizell has been a senior manager of a culture of corruption within the Minneapolis Police Department.
Eddie Frizell is the DFL-endorsed candidate for what is supposed to be the non-partisan office of Hennepin County Sheriff. For decades, Frizell has been a senior manager of a culture of corruption within the Minneapolis Police Department.
Eddie Frizell should not be elected Sheriff. The current Sheriff, Rich Stanek, has done a good job and should continue in office.
On October 8, 2014, both the U.S. Justice Department and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges criticized the failure of the Minneapolis Police Department leaders which included Eddie Frizell for failing to act on hundreds of complaints about officer misconduct, abuse, and corruption. {1}
1. Rich Stanek had to save Eddie Frizell’s bacon in Downtown Minneapolis. That is why the Downtown Business Council endorsed Stanek over Frizell.
Frizell was in command of Minneapolis First Precinct in downtown Minneapolis. {2}
A new police review board was created to review complaints about police misconduct and abuse.
“Police received 344 new complaints between the fall of 2012 and summer of 2013. Most complaints stemmed from downtown’s 1st precinct, and most of the downtown complaints related to use of excessive force or inappropriate language or attitude.” {3}
“Police received 344 new complaints between the fall of 2012 and summer of 2013. As of mid-October, MPD Chief Janee Harteau had yet to follow any recommendations for discipline.” {4}
To cover for rising crime and increasing dissatisfaction with unresolved complaints of police in Eddie Frizell’s First Precinct in downtown Minneapolis, Sheriff Rich Stanek strengthened Operation SafeZone.
"[Sheriff Rich Stanek] coordinated proactive patrols known as SafeZone in Downtown Minneapolis. . . . Sheriff’s Office deputies walked the downtown beat in a in a pro-active, high-profile effort to prevent crime and respond to public safety issues. . . . Due to increased public safety issues, the Sheriff’s Office significantly increased its participation, doubling the number of deputies working the detail and increasing the number of weeks and hours for SafeZone patrol work." {5}
In appreciation for Sheriff Stanek’s efforts to fight crime and respond to public safety issues in the same precinct where Eddie Frizell’s failed management had generated so many complaints, Collin Barr (Chairman of the Board of the Minneapolis Downtown Council endorsed Sheriff Stanek. {6}
The good cops working in Eddie Frizell’s mismanaged precinct also appreciated Sheriff Stanek’s support. That is why those men and women who worked for Eddie Frizell endorsed Rich Stanek through the Police Federation of Minneapolis. {7}
2. As a failed manager in a culture of corruption, Eddie Frizell did nothing to prevent or punish individual police officers selling secrets to gang leaders.
Eddie Frizell did nothing in 2007, an informant linked to a national gang, the Gangster Disciples, advised in a plea bargaining session that half a dozen police officers from Frizell’s MPD were selling confidential evidence and prosecutorial information to gang members.
MPD Officer Mike Roberts was the only cop convicted in that case. He was accused of selling information to a crack dealer for $200. {8}
3. Frizell did nothing to stop retaliation in “Cash-For-Secrets” Cover-Up.
To investigate the “Cash-For-Secrets” scandal in 2007, MPD Chief Timothy Dolan wanted to bypass the Internal Affairs Division and to recruit two special investigators. “This could ruin your careers,” he warned the detectives. He was right.
MPD Deputy Chief Scott Gerlicher was in charge of the unit which included the implicated officers. Gerlicher wasn't happy that Internal Affairs was apparently bypassed. A later lawsuit claimed that Gerlicher began retaliating against the two special investigators in 2007 and continued for years.
After Chief Dolan retired, incoming Police Chief Janee Harteau relieved the two special investigators of duty, transferring them both to low profile assignments, Harteau later admitted that she relied on "rumor and innuendo" in making that decision. She has since blamed Gerlicher for "withholding information."
The two special inspectors had their supporters. Deputy Chief Rob Allen blamed Gerlicher for "poisoning the well" in his quest against the duo. Allen called the detectives "outstanding investigators."
But that was too late. Their careers were ruined when the FBI yanked their top-secret clearance. Frizell did nothing to stop the stain from spreading against the Police Department. {9}
4. Frizell did nothing when MPD was mired in Metro Gang Strike Force scandal.
Frizell did nothing when 29 of his MPD officers refused to talk to the Hennepin County prosecutors when the worst and widest corruption scandal in modern times hit in 2009. {10}
In 2009, the Minnesota State Legislative Auditor reported that MPD police officers and other members of the Metro Gang Strike force could not account for oceans of missing money, cars and other seized property. Within and hour of that report, MGSF officers rushed to their headquarters and destroyed mountains of reports, paperwork, and other evidence.
Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety temporarily suspended the MGSF and called for federal, state and local investigations.
The next day, before Campion could permanently cancel the strike force, Sheriff Rich Stanek killed it by pulling his support from the group.
"The Metro Gang Strike Force is done," Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek told reporters just before Campion officially pulled the plug. "Not because I say so, but because no one has any trust in the Metro Gang Strike Force now or in the future. Ask the average person and they get it. There's no credibility." {11}
But the corrupt wall of silence in Frizell’s MPD killed the investigations. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman could not indict a single MPD officer for all the thefts because not one of 29 implicated officers would talk with his investigators.
The federal investigation led to one futile indictment. The Justice Department indicted Minneapolis police officer Jason Andersen -- who served on the strike force -- with kicking a kid in the head, though a jury found him not guilty. in 2010 Earlier that year, another federal jury acquitted Officer Anderson of using excessive force in the shooting death of teen Fong Lee during a 2006 foot chase. Earlier in 2010, Anderson had a domestic violence charge dismissed in state court.
Despite being fired for the domestic violence charge, Anderson got his job back with Frizell’s MPD. {12} Years after these events, Anderson eventually was finally released from MPD.
5. $3 million as Frizell did nothing about police robbing the poor and vulnerable.
Officers from Frizell’s MPD routinely preyed on vulnerable people at the Minneapolis impound lot.
"[A federal lawsuit arising from the MGSF investigation in 2010 reported] that a "targeted, deliberate place (for officers) to conduct their thefts was the Minneapolis impound lot. ... MGSF officers would often call the impound lot and ask if there were any 'Mexicans' there attempting to pick up vehicles."
Metro Gang Strike Force officers stopped two men in the Minneapolis impound lot in 2008, frisked them and took $4,500 from one and $100 from the other. Neither was a gang member and neither had drugs on him.
"The men didn't know each other, but they had something in common — both were Hispanic and they were illegal immigrants. To cover their robberies and make their victims disappear, the officers violated Minneapolis policies against asking immigration-related questions and against reporting non-violent persons to immigration authorities. Both victims were taken into federal custody and faced deportation." {13}
This thievery cost taxpayers at least $3 million in settlements. Almost 100 victims split $840,000 in payments between $300 and $75,000 for abuse, violence, and robbery by police officers. The rest went to other victims and a special investigator appointed in the case. {14}
6. With Eddie Frizell as a senior manager, the Minneapolis Police Department has paid out $20 million in ten years for officer misconduct.
Minnesota Public Radio reports that between 2003 and 2013. {15}
It is getting worse, according to MPR. The taxpayers’ payouts for lawsuits on police misconduct jumped from $300,000 in 2012 to $3.3 million in 2013.
Eddie Frizell may not be involved in the acts of violence, theft, abuse, discrimination, misconduct, and conspiracy, but he has been a senior manager in a culture of corruption.
Taxpayers cannot afford another $20 million of cash settlements on his next watch.
[FOOTNOTES]
{1} “Minneapolis Mayor: Some police officers abuse the trust;” Minneapolis Star Tribune; October 9, 2014; at http://www.startribune.com/
{2}”Hennepin County Sheriff’s race focuses on spending and diversity;” MinnPost; August 28, 2014; at http://www.minnpost.com/
{3} “Mayoral Candidates outline views on police accountability;” The Southwest Journal; October 16, 2013; at http://www.southwestjournal.
{4} “Claims Of Minneapolis Police Misconduct: 439; Officers Disciplined: 0;” Mint Press; August 29, 2013; at http://www.mintpressnews.com/
{5} “Special Operations;” Annual Report from The Office of the Hennepin County Sheriff; 2014; at http://www.hennepinsheriff.
{6} “Six Labor Unions and Many Business Leaders Endorse Sheriff Rich Stanek;” Stanek for Sheriff; 2014; at http://sheriffstanek.com/
{7} “Six Labor Unions Endorse Sheriff Rich Stanek,” Stanek for Sheriff; 2014; at http://sheriffstanek.com/
{8} “FBI agent tells jury how officer took news he was caught;” Minneapolis Star Tribune; May 24, 3009; at http://www.mobilitytechzone.
{9} “2 Minneapolis police officers claim department corruption, retaliation;” MyFox9.com; July 23, 2013; at http://www.myfoxtwincities.
{10} Metro Gang Strike Force criminal probe yields no charges;” The City Pages; September 8, 2010; at http://blogs.citypages.com/
{11} “Metro Gang Strike Force gets off scot free;” The City Pages; June 21, 2011; at http://blogs.citypages.com/
{12} “Jason Anderson, who shot Fong Lee, gets his job back at MPD;” The City Pages; May 12, 2010; at http://blogs.citypages.com/
{13} “Metro Gang Strike Force scandal threatens police relations with minority community;” The St. Paul Pioneer Press; August 22, 2009, at http://www.twincities.com/ci_
{14} “Victims of Metro Gang Strike Force awarded $840,000;” The Star Tribune; July 23, 2012; at http://www.startribune.com/
{15} See chart at “Wearable cameras for Minneapolis police could provide accountability, protection from lawsuits;” Minnesota Public Radio; October 18, 2013; at http://www.mprnews.org/story/
