Ex-Minneapolis police chief calls on union leader to resign over email claiming George Floyd had ‘violent criminal history’

Former Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau is calling on the president of the department’s union to resign over an email in which the official said George Floyd, the unarmed black man whose death has sparked nationwide protests, had a “violent criminal history” and that the demonstrations were part of a “terrorist movement.”

“A disgrace to the badge!  This is the battle that myself and others have been fighting against.  Bob Kroll turn in your badge!” Harteau tweeted Monday, including a screenshot of the email from Lt. Bob Kroll.

Kroll in the email criticized city leaders in Minneapolis, saying “this terrorist movement that is currently occurring was a long time build up which dates back years.”

Kroll added that “what is not being told is the violent criminal history of George Floyd” and said that the four officers fired for their involvement in his arrest were “terminated without due process.”

A disgrace to the badge! This is the battle that myself and others have been fighting against. Bob Kroll turn in your badge! pic.twitter.com/SQmeNIIU3v

— Janeé Harteau (@ChiefHarteau) June 1, 2020

Floyd died on May 25 after a Minneapolis officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck and pinned him face-down on the pavement for several minutes despite Floyd’s protest that he was unable to breathe.

The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis also defended the officers in the immediate wake of Floyd’s death, saying in a statement the day of Floyd’s death: “Now is not the time rush to judgement and immediately condemn our officers.”

“The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis will provide full support to the involved officers,” the union added.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) blasted Kroll on “Fox News Sunday,” saying he “operates as sort of an alternative chief who, I think, undermines good order in the department.”

Four black Minneapolis police officers, including current Chief Medaria Arradondo, sued the department for racial discrimination in 2007 in a lawsuit that alleged Kroll called Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, a “terrorist.”