Police Chief Nomination
At a glance
Based on human-uploaded captions, which may still contain errors in names and numbers.
- What: the mayor's nomination of Bill Peterson as Police Chief for a term ending 2030 (name as captioned; verify). The committee also received two documents on how the public and advisory bodies were involved in the search.
- Where it stands: on October 21 the committee voted by voice to set a public hearing for November 4, 2026, taken together with the Health Commissioner nomination. Council Member Chavez stressed it is not the vote itself.
- Next: public hearing and committee action at the next Public Health, Safety and Equity meeting; Council Member Chavez asked that the two documents below be attached to the hearing file so the public and Council see them.
Advisory body input
- The Community Commission on Police Oversight adopted a resolution in August describing how the community should be involved in hiring the next chief. Council Member Chavez said much of the process had already moved forward, but wanted the administration to report back on which recommendations were used, which were not and why, ideally before the hearing; the resolution also asks the Council for an explanation, which he said should come soon.
- The Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights sent a letter (item 19) asking to see finalists before the mayor made the nomination and asking that civil rights qualifications be built into the evaluation: use of force and civilian oversight, trust with immigrant communities, and clear communication about how the department engages with federal immigration authorities. It also invited finalists to its meeting. Council Member Chavez said the letter matters especially after Operation Metro Surge.
- Council Member Wonsley asked that both be linked to the hearing file and said it appears the mayor's administration did not involve the advisory boards as they asked; she called it a chance to show the Council takes them seriously. Both items were received and filed.
Sources
- 2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee (video of the October 21, 2026 meeting)
- 2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee
- Minneapolis agenda portal: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov
Discussion time
About 5 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee | 5 |
Log
- 2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee - hearing set for November 4, 2026; CCPO resolution and Civil Rights Commission letter received and filed and ordered added to the hearing file.
2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee
Marked agenda: public hearing on the nomination of Bill Peterson set for November 4, 2026; the Community Commission on Police Oversight resolution and the Commission on Civil Rights letter about the hiring process were received and filed.
2026-10-15 - City Council
Nomination of Bill Peterson received and filed and referred to the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee for a public hearing (marked agenda).