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New police boss after Damond shooting

Following the fatal police shooting of Australian Justine Damond, a new police chief has been appointed by the Minneapolis City Council.

Minneapolis City Council members have unanimously confirmed a new police chief after his predecessor was ousted following an officer's fatal shooting of an Australian woman who had called 911 for help.

Medaria Arradondo, a 28-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, became the city's first black police chief in a vote that was greeted by lengthy applause.

The Minneapolis native told council members he was determined to serve "the 400,000 bosses that I'm responsible for".

Arradondo, 50, replaces Janee Harteau, who stepped down after the mayor asked for her resignation following the July 15 shooting of Justine Damond.

Damond had called police to report a possible sexual assault behind her home. She was fatally shot as she approached the responding squad car in the alley. Investigators said Damond was unarmed when she was shot once in the stomach by Officer Mohamed Noor.

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His partner, Matthew Harrity, told investigators that he was startled by a loud noise right before Damond approached their police SUV. Noor has declined to be interviewed by investigators.

The state's investigation of Damond's death continues.

A spokeswoman for the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation declined Friday to give any detailed update.

Neither officer's body camera was switched on at the time of Damond's shooting, drawing widespread criticism of the department.

Harteau was absent from the city for several days following the shooting, and was forced out just a day after her return. Mayor Betsy Hodges said she had lost confidence in the chief.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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