Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday that Deputy Police Chief Amelia Huffman will become the department's interim chief, replacing Medaria Arradondo, who said Monday he was retiring after three decades of public service.
"She's the right leader to move towards rebuilding our department and making sure that every single person in every single neighborhood feels safe," Frey said introducing Huffman at a City Hall news conference. The 27-year department veteran "commands an encyclopedic knowledge of how safety should function and of the internal workings of the Police Department," the mayor said.
Huffman said she is interested in taking the job in the longer term, after her interim appointment ends. "I hope to have further discussions with the mayor about that as time progresses," the Star Tribune reports.
Following the announcement Tuesday, retiring chief Arradondo said that his replacement "cares deeply about the people we serve and the men and women of this department."
"She is a true leader who will work tirelessly to keep our residents safe, strive to make the MPD one of the best agencies in the country and she is an intelligent, thoughtful, visionary leader," he said in a text message.
Hufffman has served both the 3rd and 5th precincts. She’s been most recently serving as deputy chief of professional standards where she oversees administrative services, internal affairs, technology and support services, and training, WCCO reports.
Huffman also thanked current police chief for his “32 years of tireless work” for Minneapolis police. He issued a statement of support for Huffman following the press conference.
