When it comes to racial profiling and the use of excessive force, Lt. Bob Kroll has been an ardent defender, enabler, and perpetrator. As some background, Kroll is President of the Minneapolis Officers Union (an elected position) and a proud member of both “Cops for Trump” and an off-duty police motorcycle club called City Heat , with known white supremacist ties.
More history on Kroll’s toxic and corrosive influence on the culture of the Minneapolis police force can be found in the two links below (including how Kroll used the union to allow it members to continue receiving “warrior police training” — and its ethos of “fear instillation and killology” -- after the city banned these techniques due to their documented role in spurring the use of excessive force, such as in the Philando Castille murder.
Kroll and Warrior police training
Kroll and racist ties
From the second link, this quote highlights the power that Kroll wields in this municipality:
The only authority they respect is Police Federation President Bob Kroll,” Tana Hargest, a Minneapolis-based artist and activist, tweeted a day after Floyd’s death. “[T]here’s nothing our elected representatives can or will do to bring them to heel.”
And now, Lt. Kroll has penned a letter to his membership proclaiming that the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd were terminated “without due process” and that he is working with legal staff to “fight for their jobs. [Text of the two page letter is appended at the end of this post].
Now you might ask, what does Lt. Kroll think about the lack of due process manifest in the execution of George Floyd? Well, Bob Kroll wants you to know this:
“What is not being told is the violent criminal history of George Floyd. The media will not tell this.”
So there we have it. Kroll invokes the tried and true “he was no angel” epithet that is always used to justify police-on-black violence. I don’t know what, if any prior offenses that the late Mr. Floyd may have had but I do know (like all of you), that such a history is 100% irrelevant to his brutal treatment and murder by the officers who were arresting him for allegedly buying goods with a counterfeit $20. However, character assassination of the victim is standard to the playbook for creating “doubts in the minds of jurist” and trying to sway public opinion.
The time is now to completely discredit, disavow, and disarm that form of rhetorical attack on victims. Kroll needs to feel real pressure to resign for invoking that racist canard (not to mention is dismal, racist history).
On related matter, today two Atlanta police officers were fired for tasing and flat out assaulting two college aged. POC who were sitting their car near the protests. Footage of the assault can be found here:
Aggressive policing tactics call into question
This events are happening all over, with many leading to serious injuries and sadly in some recently reported cases fatalities. In responses, Mayors and police chiefs are responding to these abuses with statements such as this one offered by Atlanta police chief Erika Shields:
This is not who we are," Shields said. "I am truly sorry to those individuals. We are still working to get it right."
To that I say, and much like “he was no angel” justification, BULLSHIT!. All the evidence, all the history points to one undeniable conclusion: Violent, militaristic tactics, that are designed to ensure compliance, obedience, and, most of all fear, particularly in regard to P.O.C. are WHO THE FUCK Police Forces have become. In my relatively small city of Madison, WI, we had a protest on State street (and yes there was looting of two jewellery stores and a UA sportswear store late in the evening). But, the Madison cops were out in full riot gear, roboticly gazing from behind their gas masks and shields (refusing to acknowledge anyones’ humanity) and periodically and indiscriminately “controlling the crowd” with the indiscriminate use of pepper spray. That is not policing; that is not de-escalating but a flat out intimidation tactic. But, Madison was still more restrained (at least out cops did not shoot robber bullets at the media).
But as long as cities, mayors, and police chiefs allow like people like Bob Kroll to be the voice and leadership of police unions and continue to allow their officers to function like a military force occupying a hostile area, then the problems leading to these protest are going to continue.
As promised, Kroll’s two page letter is below:
Fellow members,
I write this on behalf of myself and your Federation board. First of all you have yet to be commended for the outstanding work that you have done this past five days. No one with the exception of us is wiling to recognize and acknowledge the extreme bravery you have displayed through this riot. You have my upmost respect.
Although I have not been visibly present, I am closely monitoring what is occurring. I commend you for the excellent police work you are doing in keeping your coworkers and others safe during what everyone except us refuses to call a riot. You've turned the tide of the largest scale riot that
Minneapolis has ever seen.
What has been very evident throughout this process is you have lacked support from the top. This terrorist movement that is currently occurring was a long time build up which dates back years. Starting with minimizing the size of our police force and diverting funds to community activists with an anti-police agenda. Our chief requested 400 more officers and was flatly denied any. This is what led to this record breaking riot.
Wednesday evening I spoke with the assistant chief when the siege began on third precinct. He informed me that National Guard troops and mutual aid had been enacted. What was held back was the National Guard to deploy until 0001 hrs. Friday morning. What was also held back with the ability for our officers to use gas munitions and less lethal mutations to defend themselves. Given the right numbers, the right equipment, and your ability to use them would have ended this Tuesday night. I know this because I've been in charge of three separate riot situations when the police on the ground had the ability to make the tactical decisions to effectively end the situation. This has been stripped. The politicians are to blame and you are the scapegoats.
I've noted in press conferences from our mayor, our governor, and beyond, how they refuse to acknowledge the work of MPD and continually shift blame to it. It is despicable behavior. How our command staff can tolerate it and live with themselves I do not know.
When the critical incident took place, the Federation released a brief statement. It was clear, concise, and covered all angles. I will attach that to this email. Part of the reason myself and your board have been absent is like you we have simply been overworked and overwhelmed . I've had numerous conversations with politicians at the state level. I gave a detailed plan of action including a range of 2000 to 3000 National Guard, their deployment allocations throughout our city and St. Paul, in a phone meeting with Senate majority leader Paul Gazelka. The Senate was going to try and run the actions that the governor displayed he is clearly incompetent to do. I've worked with other police leaders from New York to Las Vegas to push our messaging on a national level. What is not being told is the violent criminal history of George Floyd . The media will not air this. [emphasis added] I've worked with the four defense attorneys that are representing each of our four terminated individuals under criminal investigation, in addition with our labor attorneys to fight for their jobs. They were terminated without due process. [emphasis added]
Another large reason we have not been more vocal beyond our initial press release is the negative impact and safety implications it would have for you trying to do your work. I've been a visible target from the groups conducting this riot, politicians on the left allowing it and encouraging it, and liberal media. My visibility during this time would only increase your danger. I've received countless death threats throughout this. [Emphasis added for Trumpian “I am the real victim” here move]
Your Federation board will not remain silent. It's important for us to get order restored and safety resumed . We do have a lot to say about failed leadership when the time is right. We've been formulating plans for that. In addition, last night at 03:00 we had another critical incident. Two officers fired upon a vehicle that was accelerating at our officers . This too is being handled.
In closing I want you to know that your board is working hard on your behalf. We see the heroic work being done. We acknowledge it and commend you for it. Please take care of one another and stay as safe as possible.
Thank you, Lt. Bob Kroll
President, POFM
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