Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

File:Hennepin County Sheriff car-20090804.JPG

Patrick D. McGowan (R) was elected sheriff in 1995.

The HCSO was a major component of the Metro Gang Strike Force, which was created by the state legislature in 2005 after the Minnesota Gang Strike Force was dissolved.{{Cite web |title=The Collapse of the Metro Gang Strike Force|url=https://www.twincities.com/2009/08/20/the-collapse-of-the-metro-gang-strike-force/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US|date=2009-08-20}} It was shut down in 2009 due to rampant corruption and abuse.{{Cite web |date=2009-08-25 |title=How did the Metro Gang Strike Force lose its way? Lawmakers hope to find answers |url=https://www.twincities.com/2009/08/25/how-did-the-metro-gang-strike-force-lose-its-way-lawmakers-hope-to-find-answers/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US |first=David |last=Hanners |archive-date=2021-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806000902/https://www.twincities.com/2009/08/25/how-did-the-metro-gang-strike-force-lose-its-way-lawmakers-hope-to-find-answers/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite report|series=Financial Audit Division Report | publisher = State of Minnesota |author=James Nobles, Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA)| title = Metro Gang Strike Force Special Review| date = May 20, 2009 |location= Saint Paul, Minnesota |pages=38|url=https://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/2009/fad09-18.htm}}{{rp|2}} In 2010, a $3 million settlement was reached between the agencies that made up the Strike Force and 96 individuals who claimed to be victims of misconduct by the Strike Force.{{Cite web |title=Gang Strike Force victims reach $3M settlement |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2010/08/25/strike-force-settlement |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=MPR News |language=en|first=Tim|last=Nelson|date=2010-08-25}}{{Cite web |first=Randy|last=Furst|title=Payouts reveal brutal, rogue Metro Gang Strike Force |url=https://www.startribune.com/payouts-reveal-brutal-rogue-metro-gang-strike-force/165028086/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=Star Tribune|date=2012-08-05}}

Richard W. Stanek (R) was elected sheriff in 2007. Later in 2007, Sheriff Stanek used $30,000 of civil forfeiture funds that were earmarked for training to produce a video on the I-35W Mississippi River bridge; this incurred criticism from the mayor of Minneapolis R.T. Rybak and Minneapolis police chief Tim Dolan, who claimed the video contained false information and stole credit from the city government.{{cite news|last=Kaszuba|first=Mike|title=Some smell politics in Stanek's $30,000 training video|url=http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/12523221.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130813231830/http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/12523221.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2013|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=December 15, 2007}} The company that produced the video was also used by Stanek for his 2006 campaign.{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Bob|title=Stanek's training video|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2007/12/staneks_training_video.shtml|newspaper=MPR News|date=December 20, 2007|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019032312/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2007/12/staneks_training_video.shtml|url-status=live}}

In October 2016, the HCSO provided support from its special operations division in response to North Dakota officials' mutual aid requests,{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/metro-county-deputies-deployed-to-north-dakota-pipeline-protests/398373371/|title=Metro county deputies deployed to North Dakota pipeline protests|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|access-date=October 25, 2016|first1=Randy|last1=Furst|first2=Mark|last2=Brunswick|date=2016-10-26|archive-date=2016-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025165316/http://www.startribune.com/metro-county-deputies-deployed-to-north-dakota-pipeline-protests/398373371/|url-status=live}} for the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, causing an outcry from Hennepin County citizens and leaders.{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/10/25/hcso-faces-backlash-after-sending-deputies-to-standing-rock/|title=HCSO Faces Backlash After Sending Deputies To Standing Rock|work=CBS-Local|date=25 October 2016|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025195409/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2016/10/25/hcso-faces-backlash-after-sending-deputies-to-standing-rock/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Protests Disrupt Pipelines Across The Northern U.S.|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/12/497673866/protests-disrupt-pipelines-across-the-west|work=National Public Radio News|date=12 October 2016|access-date=October 26, 2016|last1=Hersher|first1=Rebecca|archive-date=26 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026080503/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/12/497673866/protests-disrupt-pipelines-across-the-west|url-status=live}} HCSO deputies were deployed to Morton County, North Dakota, along with deputies from neighboring Anoka and Washington Counties, from October 23–31, 2016 as part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact agreement between the state governments of Minnesota and North Dakota.{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/01/minnesota-sheriffs-defend-giving-help-to-police-at-standing-rock|title=Minnesota sheriffs defend giving help to police at Standing Rock|work=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=November 1, 2016|first=Brandt|last=Williams|date=2016-11-01|archive-date=2016-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102153604/http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/11/01/minnesota-sheriffs-defend-giving-help-to-police-at-standing-rock|url-status=live}}

Hundreds of citizens protested daily at Hennepin County Government Center and Minneapolis City Hall {{cite web|title=Pipeline protesters angry with Hennepin County sheriff pack Minneapolis City Hall|url=http://www.startribune.com/pipeline-protesters-pack-minneapolis-city-hall/399110951/#5|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|access-date=October 29, 2016|first=Beatrice|last=Dupuy|date=October 29, 2016|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328033940/https://www.startribune.com/pipeline-protesters-pack-minneapolis-city-hall/399110951/#5|url-status=live}} Among political leaders opposed to Sheriff Stanek's decision were Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith,{{cite web|title=Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Blasts Lt. Gov. Tina Smith over Dakota Access Pipeline Involvement|url=http://patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/hennepin-county-sheriffs-office-blasts-lt-gov-tina-smith-over-dakota-access|work=Minneapolis Patch|date=28 October 2016|access-date=October 29, 2016|first=William|last=Bornhoft|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030000318/http://patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/hennepin-county-sheriffs-office-blasts-lt-gov-tina-smith-over-dakota-access|url-status=live}} U.S. Representative Keith Ellison,{{cite web|title=Demonstrators echo N.D. Pipeline protest at Minneapolis City Hall|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/10/28/dapl-protest-twin-cities|work=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=October 28, 2016|date=2016-10-28|first1=Brandt|last1=Williams|agency=Associated Press|first2=Solvejg|last2=Wastvedt|archive-date=2016-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029111313/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/10/28/dapl-protest-twin-cities|url-status=live}} state Representative Peggy Flanagan, state Representative Karen Clark, state Senator Patricia Torres Ray, Minneapolis City Council members Alondra Cano and Cameron Gordon,{{cite web|title=Cameron Gordon Facebook Post|url=https://www.facebook.com/CamA.Gordon/posts/10154413804134017|work=Cameron Gordon Facebook Page|access-date=October 25, 2016|date=2016-10-25|archive-date=2017-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511031538/https://www.facebook.com/CamA.Gordon/posts/10154413804134017|url-status=live}} Civil rights organizer Clyde Bellecourt and Hennepin County commissioners Marion Greene, Linda Higgins,{{cite web|title=Marion Green Facebook Post|url=https://www.facebook.com/marion.greene.888/posts/10154186754474403|work=Marion Greene Facebook Page|access-date=October 25, 2016|date=2016-10-25|archive-date=2017-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602105043/https://www.facebook.com/marion.greene.888/posts/10154186754474403|url-status=live}} and Peter McLaughlin who, in a Facebook post said, "Indian Nations have a special interest in this issue and that interest must be protected! There's plenty for the Sheriff to do here in Hennepin County," said McLaughlin. "It is not a priority use of the Sheriff's office resources, which the Sheriff controls by virtue of his election.{{cite web|title=Peter McLaughlin Facebook Post|url=https://www.facebook.com/peter.mclaughlin.50/posts/10209337220220527|work=Peter McLaughlin Facebook Page|access-date=October 25, 2016|date=October 24, 2016|archive-date=June 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602224542/https://www.facebook.com/peter.mclaughlin.50/posts/10209337220220527|url-status=live}}

An online petition by Honor the Earth called on the Sheriff's department to desist in its participation.

{{blockquote|We are residents of Hennepin County, MN and we are alarmed at the deployment of Hennepin County Sheriff's Department forces to North Dakota to take part in the hyper-militarized and violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline. In our judgment, the demonstrations by water protectors on and near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation have been overwhelmingly peaceful, prayerful, dignified, and reverent. They have been exercises of the inherent human rights and constitutionally protected rights to freedom of speech and assembly. (...) Hennepin County has absolutely no place and no right to support such activity with our tax dollars. We hereby call on all Hennepin County Commissioners and Sheriff Richard Stanek to immediately withdraw all Hennepin County forces from North Dakota.|Honor the Earth{{Cite web |title=ACTION ALERT: Call on Hennepin County to Withdraw Forces from Standing Rock! |url=https://www.honorearth.org/hennepinpetition |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Honor The Earth |archive-date=2021-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509140615/https://www.honorearth.org/hennepinpetition |url-status=live }}}}

In response, Sheriff Stanek issued a statement explaining that his office responded to the request from North Dakota to maintain "the public's safety, preserve the peace, and protect the constitutional rights of protesters" and that the deployment was a routine mutual aid agreement between law enforcement agencies.{{cite web|title=Hennepin County deputies deployed to North Dakota pipeline protests|url=http://www.fox9.com/news/213421658-story|work=Fox 9 News|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026080338/http://www.fox9.com/news/213421658-story|url-status=dead|date=October 24, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/politics-played-no-role-in-deputies-sent-to-north-dakota-pipeline-protest-sheriffs-say/399562151/|title=Politics played no role in deputies sent to North Dakota pipeline protest, sheriffs say|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|access-date=November 1, 2016|date=November 1, 2016|first=David|last=Chanen|archive-date=November 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102025347/http://www.startribune.com/politics-played-no-role-in-deputies-sent-to-north-dakota-pipeline-protest-sheriffs-say/399562151/|url-status=live}} Minnesota deputies were released from their duties in Morton County on October 31 after the state fulfilled its part of the EMAC agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/10/31/after-protest-hennepin-co-sheriffs-staff-leave-standing-rock-protest|title=Hennepin Co. sheriff's deputies leave Standing Rock protest|work=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=October 31, 2016|first=Brandt|last=Williams|date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101034713/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/10/31/after-protest-hennepin-co-sheriffs-staff-leave-standing-rock-protest|url-status=live}} Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton stated in an interview that the deployment was a routine mutual aid response, and that "It sounds like they conducted themselves very professionally."{{cite web|url=http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/politics/4149842-after-pipeline-protest-minnesota-deputies-return-home-criticism|title=After pipeline protest, Minnesota deputies return home to criticism|work=West Fargo Pioneer|access-date=November 1, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043722/http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/politics/4149842-after-pipeline-protest-minnesota-deputies-return-home-criticism|url-status=dead|first=Don|last=Davis|date=November 1, 2016}} Financially, North Dakota eventually reimbursed Hennepin County for the salaries of the officers sent there, but not for the overtime hours needed by the officers who remained behind on duty in Hennepin County.

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The HCSO was among the agencies that responded to the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Eischens |first=Rilyn |date=2021-05-27 |title=One year later, few charges for the arson and destruction |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2021/05/27/one-year-later-few-charges-for-the-arson-and-destruction/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201043941/https://minnesotareformer.com/2021/05/27/one-year-later-few-charges-for-the-arson-and-destruction/ |url-status=live }} Later, the HCSO was responsible for taking custody of Derek Chauvin and the three Minneapolis Police officers who failed to intervene during the murder of George Floyd.{{Cite web |last1=Xiong |first1=Chao |last2=Walsh |first2=Paul |last3=Olson |first3=Rochelle Olson |title=Derek Chauvin cuffed after murder, manslaughter convictions in death of George Floyd |url=https://www.startribune.com/derek-chauvin-cuffed-after-murder-manslaughter-convictions-in-death-of-george-floyd/600047825/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Star Tribune |date=2021-04-21 |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326062239/https://www.startribune.com/derek-chauvin-cuffed-after-murder-manslaughter-convictions-in-death-of-george-floyd/600047825/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |date=2022-02-24 |title=Three ex-Minneapolis police officers guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/24/1082643767/george-floyd-civil-rights-trial |access-date=2022-03-28 |archive-date=2022-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325032327/https://www.npr.org/2022/02/24/1082643767/george-floyd-civil-rights-trial |url-status=live }}

In December 2021, Sheriff Hutchinson pled guilty to a misdemeanor DWI charge after crashing his vehicle near Alexandria, Minnesota. He was sentenced to two years of probation. Although the crash report showed that Hutchinson was driving {{convert|125|mph}} at the time, he was not charged for extreme speed.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=Sheriff Hutchinson Escaped 'Extreme Speed' Charge After DWI Crash |url=https://patch.com/minnesota/southwestminneapolis/sheriff-hutchinson-escaped-extreme-speed-charge-after-dwi-crash |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Southwest Minneapolis, MN Patch |language=en|first=Jason|last=Addy}} Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan called for his resignation,{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title='Breach of Trust': Walz, Flanagan Call For Hutchinson To Resign |url=https://patch.com/minnesota/southwestminneapolis/breach-trust-walz-flanagan-call-hutchinson-resign |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Southwest Minneapolis, MN Patch |language=en|first1=Morgan|last1=Reddekopp|first2=Jason|last2=Addy}} Hutchinson announced he would not seek reelection.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Kyle |date=2022-02-08 |title=Hennepin County commissioners to discuss Sheriff Hutchinson in closed meeting |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/hennepin-county-commissioners-to-discuss-sheriff-hutchinson-in-closed-meeting/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=KSTP.com Eyewitness News |language=en-US}} In November 2022, Dawanna Witt was elected as the 29th Sheriff of Hennepin County, making her the first woman and person of color to hold the position.{{cite web |url=https://www.startribune.com/hennepin-county-sheriff-election-dawanna-witt-and-joseph-banks-2022/600222829/ |date=8 November 2022 |title=Dawanna Witt will become Hennepin County's next sheriff |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=Star Tribune }}

HCSO was named one of 15 nationwide demonstration sites for "policing in the 21st Century" by the COPS Office of the federal Department of Justice.{{cite web|url=https://www.cops.usdoj.gov/policingtaskforce|title=Building Blocks of Community Policing|work=U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124172404/https://www.cops.usdoj.gov/policingtaskforce|archive-date=2017-01-24|url-status=dead}}

HCSO, along with the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Police Departments, was presented the 2016 Outstanding Achievement in the Prevention of Terrorism Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police at the IACP national conference in San Diego.{{cite web|url=http://kstp.com/news/hennepin-county-sheriffs-office-prevention-of-terrorism-award/4294797/|title=Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Receives Prevention of Terrorism Award|work=KSTP-TV|access-date=October 18, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222181405/http://kstp.com/news/hennepin-county-sheriffs-office-prevention-of-terrorism-award/4294797/|url-status=dead|date=2016-10-18|first=Brent|last=Palm}} The award is given annually by IACP to one domestic U.S., and one international law enforcement agency.{{cite web|url=http://www.iacp.org/IACP-Booz-Allen-Hamilton-Terrorism-Award|title=IACP Booz Allen Hamilton Outstanding Achievement in the Prevention of Terrorism Award|work=International Association of Chiefs of Police|access-date=October 15, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208204522/http://www.iacp.org/IACP-Booz-Allen-Hamilton-Terrorism-Award|url-status=live}}

HCSO was granted the ASIS International Public-Private Partnership Award in recognition of its Shield program, which builds relationships between law enforcement and local businesses and security providers. The award was presented at the annual ASIS conference in Chicago.{{Cite web|title=2019 ASIS Foundation Scholarship & Grant Recipients|url=http://www.asisonline.org/get-involved/asis-foundation/foundation-scholarships-and-grants/2019-asis-foundation-scholarship--grant-recipients/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=www.asisonline.org|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125163934/https://www.asisonline.org/get-involved/asis-foundation/foundation-scholarships-and-grants/2019-asis-foundation-scholarship--grant-recipients/|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|United States}}

• List of law enforcement agencies in Minnesota

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Hennepin County Sheriff's Office}}

• {{official website|http://www.hennepinsheriff.org}}
• [http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/ Hennepin County]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070615231916/http://www.emergencysquad.org/ Hennepin County Emergency Squad]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20031014021420/http://www.waterpatrol.org/ Hennepin County Water Patrol]}}

Category:Hennepin County, Minnesota

Category:Sheriffs' departments of Minnesota

Category:Emergency services in Minnesota