Staff & Board

A visionary public affairs and community leader that creates vision and success in the guiding principles of trust, accountability,
and professional service, bringing moral courage that embraces the gift of collective humanity. An innovative strategic thinker
known for being calm, measured, and a gifted motivator. As a culture-change agent, builds collaboration across stakeholders
with accountability and gratitude, aligning goals and values for people to accomplish their work. Recognized nationally for
leading through public crisis and building strong community and organization alliances. Strength in communications and active
listening demonstrated in delivering messaging and interviews with local and national media outlets, including 60 Minutes.
Works within constrained resources to accomplish big things. Leads with an aptitude for consumer-friendly data platforms for
stakeholders that increase transparency and create positive change. Functional expertise in general management and leading
services such as finance, media relations, diversity, and inclusion.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Optimus Sui Consulting, LLC. Saint Paul, MN 2022-Present
Consultant, advisor, public speaker offering expertise in social responsibility, community relations, public safety and security,
crisis management.
Minneapolis Police Department, Minneapolis, MN 1989–2022
Serves largest city in Minnesota with over 435,000 residents, as well as visitors and workers, providing a range of public safety
services in patrol, investigations, and professional standards. The city is divided into five precincts with authorized strength of
over 800 sworn officers and 300 civilian employees.
Chief of Police (2017–2022)
Appointed in 2018 (interim Chief July, 2017) as the 53rd Chief with accountability for 8 direct reports leading patrol,
investigations, professional standards, and administrative functions. Prepared and managed a department budget of $192M with
competing priorities for programs, equipment, and people.

• 
  Organization and Change Management:
• Initiated new vision and goals in partnership with community and business stakeholders, focusing on a culture of
  accountability, commitment, transparency, and integrity. Created and led communication plan for adoption.
• Led city through its most significant public safety crisis involving the death of a community member by actions of a police
  officer. Recognized for proactive, calm approach, and moral courage in building healing and recovery solutions.
• Instituted best practice policies, procedures, and behaviors increasing operational effectiveness and professional service.
• Initiated and improved recruitment, hiring, and promotions, all centered in procedural justice guidelines of respect, voice,
  neutrality, and trust.
  
  Public Accountability and Security Leadership:
• Introduced critical new policies for public accountability including body-worn cameras, duty to report and intervene
  process, and vehicle equipment violations; reshaped the focus of the field training program.
• Established first online data dashboards to provide residents and businesses up-to-date data on crime statistics.
• Chief Public Safety official providing oversight and coordination across local, state, federal agencies for large scales
  events: Superbowl LII (2018), Final Four (2019), X Games (2018 and 2019), and a Presidential rally (2019).
  
  Community Outreach and Public Relations:
• Engaged with national and local news regarding the work and mission of the city’s police department, including a
  nationally televised interview with 60 Minutes.
• Presented numerous guest presenter/facilitator sessions in neighborhood communities, education institutions, and
  corporate forums on topics in criminal justice, social justice, community policing, and community diversity.
• Created MPD Community Navigators, a group of credible and diverse community members to bridge relationships
  between MPD and communities to increase communication, resources, and stronger services to crime victims.
• Trusted liaison and conduit interfacing with local, state, and federal officials as well as local unions to strengthen
  partnerships and leverage resources to manage changing environments.
  
  Diversity and Equity Focus:
• Overhauled training programs on managing implicit bias, valuing differences, and banishing systemic inequity; advocated
  women’s leadership training to improve recruitment, hiring and retention of female officers.
• Managed 2% gain in minority hiring from 2017–2021 across multiple ethnic groups; built strong alliances through
  outreach initiatives inspiring engagement and strong alliances across diverse communities of Somali, Lao, Hmong,
  Hispanic, Latino, African American, and Native American people.
• Championed programs and allyship with organizations advocating on behalf of homeless, LGBT, mental health, youth,
  and faith-based initiatives to provide services, empower, and reduce victimization.

Deputy Chief/Chief of Staff (2015–2017)
Recruited to serve as the first Chief of Staff, overseeing operational execution of department-wide initiatives, projects, and policy implementation. Acted as liaison to Chief, Mayor’s Office, and City Council, bridging leadership communications, executing governance directives, and facilitating a positive public safety leadership process. Managed team of five commanders and lieutenants, and core management team. Liaison for MPD and National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice organization, overseeing execution of initiatives on procedural justice, implicit bias, and reconciliation training.
Inspector of the 1st Precinct (2013–2015)
Commanded 1st Precinct, the Minneapolis downtown entertainment and business corridor, directing day-to-day operations; led 100-member sworn and civilian law enforcement team, assuring citizen, resident, and visitor safety and security. Maintained on-going communication with businesses, educators, and communities to build confidence in safety protocols and protection,translating group feedback on public safety concerns into viable action plans. Prepared and administered multimillion-dollar precinct operating budget, allocating overtime and grant funding resources, and optimizing community policing program.
Internal Affairs Unit Commander; Joint Supervisor, Office of Police Conduct Review (2012–2013)
Oversight of 8 sworn and 2 civilian personnel charged with ensuring commitment to integrity and transparency to police misconduct complaint investigations. Partnered with city and county attorneys to provide legal guidance for ensuring compliance with local laws and adherence to collective bargaining provisions. Created complaint mechanism to address highly sensitive and confidential conduct issues while providing ease of accessibility updates online or in person. Spokesperson on complaint process to community leaders; prepared media statements in response to critical incidents.
Commander of the 4th Precinct Dogwatch Patrol/Lieutenant (2010–2011)
Led a high-performing 911 response team of 4 patrol sergeants and 30 officers. Developed community neighborhood alliances, crime prevention, and problem-solving strategies to address neighborhood crime. Inspired community engagement.
Commander of the 4th Precinct Community Response Team Unit/Lieutenant (2007–2009)
Led team of 10 officers, intensifying focus on livability issues, street-level illegal narcotics activity, and violent crime; allocated personnel and intelligence resources to troubled areas, reduced neighborhood complaints and increased citizen safety.
Executive Officer of the 4th Precinct/Lieutenant (2006–2007)
Second-in-command officer, directing precinct operations in inspector’s absence, mobilizing personnel resources and specialized units. Established positive relationships with park, school, library, church, and local business members.
Commander of the Strategic Tactical Operations Unit. Lieutenant (2005–2006)
Commanded newly created strategic and tactical operations unit focused on city’s violent crime.
Acting Inspector of 2nd Precinct, Inspector (2005)
Managed precinct operations, prepared/managed budgets, allocated grant funding, optimized operational efficiency.
Federal Mediation Agreement/Compliance & Public Information Officer/Lieutenant (2003–2005)
Directed implementation of Federal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) providing first mutually developed agreement and roadmap to building better police community relations; partnered with 18 community stakeholders in state, city, civil rights, education, and non-profit entities. Served as department public information officer and local/national media liaison.
Administrative Assistant to the Chief/Sergeant (2000–2001)
Internal Affairs Investigator/Sergeant (1999–2001)
Third Precinct Investigations Sergeant (1997–1999)
School Liaison Officer (1994–1996)
Public Housing Enforcement Team Officer (1992–1994)
Fourth Precinct Patrol Officer (1989–1992)