Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak has nominated interim Police Chief Tim Dolan for the permanent job, citing his community relations skills and his ability to put a “laser-sharp focus” on escalating youth violence, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Said Rybak: “It matters that he knows every corner of this department. He knows when to reform and when to keep things the same way.” If approved by the City Council, Dolan will become the first chief promoted from within department ranks in the past 12 years. Dolan, 51, has has run the department since Bill McManus left in April to become police chief in San Antonio.
City Council member Ralph Remington complained that the city missed a chance to nominate a black as chief. He said that such a candidate could make an impact in a community wracked by violence. Forty-four people have been killed in Minneapolis this year. Dolan was selected over University of Minnesota Police Chief Greg Hestness and Seattle Assistant Chief Nicholas Metz. The city spent $30,000 to hire a recruitment agency. One highlight of Dolan’s interim police chief stint was reestablishing the juvenile crime unit, a centralized resource for investigators. He’s also considered starting a pro-active truancy program with schools.