Mayor Frey Announces Bill Peterson as Interim Chief of Police

Mayor Jacob Frey announced the appointment of First Precinct Inspector Bill Peterson as Interim Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department.

A 30-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, Peterson has served in leadership roles across patrol, special operations, pre-service training, and precinct command. Since 2019, he has led the First Precinct, overseeing public safety operations in seven neighborhoods: North Loop, Downtown East, Downtown West, Loring Park, Elliot Park, Cedar Riverside, and a portion of the University of Minnesota West Bank. In this role, he focused on building strong relationships with residents, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and violence prevention partners.

"Bill Peterson is the right leader for this moment," said Mayor Frey. "He's spent three decades serving Minneapolis, he's earned the respect of officers across the department, and he understands that trust with the people of Minneapolis is paramount. Bill understands that trust is earned, and he has established a reputation of working every day to earn it."

The mayor continued, "I also want to thank Katie Blackwell for stepping in at a critical time and providing strong leadership for the department over the past week."

Peterson's appointment comes at a pivotal time for Minneapolis, as the City continues implementing major public safety reforms, rebuilding staffing levels, reducing violent crime, and strengthening trust with communities across the city. His experience leading major operations, implementing training initiatives, and working alongside community partners positions him to guide the department through these priorities while maintaining a clear focus on public safety.

"This department has given me the opportunity to serve a city I love alongside some of the finest public servants I know," said Interim Chief Bill Peterson. "When I was asked to step into this role, I felt compelled to answer the call. At a time when the Minneapolis Police Department needs experienced, steady leadership, I am honored to serve and ready to lead. My focus will be on maintaining stability, supporting officers, building on the progress we've made, strengthening trust with our community, and ensuring every resident feels safe in the city we are proud to serve."

About Peterson

Throughout his career, Peterson has helped lead the department's response to major incidents and events, including the North Side tornado, the I-35W bridge collapse, periods of civil unrest, and large-scale public safety operations such as the MLB All-Star Game and Super Bowl LII.

Peterson has served in leadership roles across several divisions of the department, including:

• Special Operations Division Patrol Unit
• Violent Crimes Investigations Division, Robbery Investigator
• Fourth Precinct Patrol
• Pre-Service Training
• Inspector of the First Precinct

While overseeing Pre-Service Training, Peterson managed the Police Academy and Field Training Officer Program and developed the department's first department-wide Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program. He has also spent nearly two decades supervising, mentoring, and developing officers and future leaders across the department.

Over a three-year period, Peterson also worked with Minneapolis Property Services, Minneapolis City IT, and the RSP Architects team on the design and construction of a state-of-the-art facility for the First Precinct, the first new police precinct to open in approximately 25 years.

"I am incredibly grateful to Inspector Peterson for stepping into this interim role," said Commissioner Todd Barnette, Minneapolis Office of Community Safety. "I'm confident his leadership will keep our department moving forward. He is the right person to continue our ongoing reform efforts and the critical task of rebuilding trust with our residents. With his track record of working closely with community groups and partner agencies, I know the department is in capable hands."

Next Steps

Peterson will serve as Interim Chief while the City conducts a national search for a permanent Chief of Police.