Fired from disgraced Strike Force, re-hired by Dolan

An editorial in the Star Tribune issues criticism of Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan for re-hiring an officer who was recently fired from the Metro Gang Strike Force:

"According to an April 20 story by Star Tribune reporter Randy Furst, Garman's September firing was linked to the seizure of cell phones during a 2009 Strike Force raid and subsequent coverup of phone usage.

"This week, the Minneapolis Police Federation's John Delmonico said a police panel had recommended Garman's termination before Dolan fired him. According to Delmonico, a union official met with Dolan last fall and reported that the chief was holding firm on his decision to fire Garman. The union then did what unions do: It reviewed the case and decided to grieve the termination and go to arbitration, which was slated for this month.

On April 16, Dolan signed a settlement agreement with the union to reinstate Garman, and the dismissal became a 30-hour suspension. The officer was back at work last Monday, and he'll receive back pay for the seven months he was off, minus the 30 hours. In effect, Garman got a seven-month paid vacation."

Without knowing the details of Garman's behavior it's hard to judge the situation with certainty. But given the details that have come out about the behavior of officers working in the Gang Strike Force, and the fact that an internal police panel recommended termination, the situation begs serious questions and skepticism.

From the outside it looks like one of the fundamental problems with police in Minneapolis has reared its head again: the chief is unwilling or unable to stand up to significant pressure from the Police Federation on the discipline of an officer.

Dolan's reappointment as Police Chief was not a complete cakewalk: councilmembers Elizabeth Glidden, Cam Gordon, Betsy Hodges, Robert Lilligren and Meg Tuthill voted against it. The Garman case seems to fall in the category of evidence that justifies their skepticism.