Monday, October 17, 2016

City of Edina responds to NAACP Minneapolis

Edina, Minn., Oct. 17, 2016 – Today, Edina Mayor Jim Hovland, City Manager Scott Neal and Police Chief Dave Nelson responded to requests from the NAACP Minneapolis regarding a recent police incident.

Just before noon Oct. 12, an Edina Police Officer observed and stopped Larnie Thomas, who was walking in the southbound lane of traffic on Xerxes Avenue. Thomas was detained at the scene. People across the country are expressing concern about how he was treated by Edina Police.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, Hovland issued a statement, saying that “the officer involved was following established protocol. However, under the circumstances, the City will review that protocol and determine how to better approach this type of incident with greater sensitivity in the future. We will work with the Edina community and invite other organizations to participate in this very important conversation. There are lessons we should and will learn from this experience.” The Mayor also said that in the public’s interest, the citation issued to Thomas will be dismissed.

Over the weekend, the NAACP Minneapolis through a press release and social media posts made six requests of Edina. Following are those requests and Edina’s response:

  • That a formal, independent investigation be conducted regarding this incident and whether any department protocols or state laws were violated by the officer(s) in question. The inquiry should also include whether the civil rights and civil liberties of Mr. Thomas were violated.

Yes. The City of Edina will ask the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation of this incident.

  • That Officer Tim Olson be suspended without pay, pending the outcome of a formal investigation into this incident.

Lt. Tim Olson will remain on the job. He and all officers involved followed the Police Department’s established procedures and the incident ended safely.

  • That Edina Police begin collecting race and other demographic data during traffic stops and to use said data in reforming departmental policies and procedures.

The City invites Minneapolis NAACP to talk with staff more about this and how the data would be collected and used.

  • A formal apology by the Mayor and Police Chief to Mr. Thomas and the public at large.

The City of Edina believes the officers involved followed established protocol. The City will review that protocol and determine how to better approach this type of incident with greater sensitivity in the future. There are lessons we should and will learn from this experience, and we will invite the community to participate in this discussion.

  • Retraining of all Edina Police officers on implicit and explicit bias.

Yes. We will provide additional training to Edina Police officers on implicit and explicit bias. We would value suggestions for specific training from the Minneapolis NAACP.

  • Implementation and adoption of best practices from the report by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

The City of Edina will work with the community to review the report by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, as well as its own practices and protocols. We will also closely monitor the ongoing work of the Governor’s Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations.

Download a copy of the Oct. 12 incident report. (Additional information released.)

Download a copy of the Oct. 19 event report.

Return to list.

Edina To Go

Download the City's mobile app, Edina To Go! Report potholes, read City news, connect with the City, see live traffic cameras and more!

Download Edina To Go today!

Hot links

Hot links

The City of Edina
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424
mail@EdinaMN.gov 952-927-8861

1uxrl0