Top Minneapolis police official demoted over 'white boys' comment

Oct 21, 20200

Minneapolis Police Department count

Art Knight had served as Police Chief Medaria Arradondo's chief of staff. "The message was about the lack of diversity, so it's just frustrating to me."

Minneapolis police Chief Medaria Arradondo demoted a high-ranking deputy over the weekend after the deputy's comments in a Star Tribune article prompted an internal backlash.

Art Knight, who had served as Arradondo's chief of staff, was quoted using the term "white boys" in a story that ran in Sunday's newspaper about law enforcement efforts to attract and retain recruits of color.

Knight, who like Arradondo is Black, will return to his civil service rank of lieutenant. The department, through a spokesman, wouldn't say whether his demotion was directly related to his comments in the newspaper or to something else.

https://www.startribune.com/mpls-police-official-demoted-over-white-boys-comment/572804802/