A Minneapolis police lieutenant who had been placed on paid leave for over a year due to forwarding a racist email has been promoted to lead the department’s homicide unit. The promotion of Aimee Linson, a 25-year veteran of the force, has sparked outrage among police reform advocates who question the commitment of department leaders to changing the culture of the city following the murder of George Floyd.
Critics argue that the promotion of Linson sends a message that the city and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) are not genuinely committed to the change they claim to embrace. Kimberly Milliard, from the Racial Justice Network, expressed her disappointment, stating, “They’ve got consent decrees hanging over their heads and they’re still doing the same stuff that created the need for the consent decrees in the first place.”
Linson claims she does not remember sending the racist email that led to the investigation. The email was discovered during a Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigation in 2021, which revealed a pattern and practice of discriminatory policing in Minneapolis. The investigation played a role in reaching a settlement agreement with the state to implement reforms, although a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice is still pending.
Linson was suspended in March 2022 and remained on paid leave until Chief Brian O’Hara resolved the case with a written reprimand in April. The discipline followed a unanimous ruling by a police conduct review panel, confirming the validity of the allegations against Linson.
Despite the controversy, Chief O’Hara defended the promotion, emphasizing Linson’s experience leading Crisis Negotiations and Shooting Response teams. He stated, “Of the Lieutenants currently available to oversee Homicide, Lt. Aimee Linson is the most qualified.” O’Hara also noted that there was no evidence suggesting Linson engaged in similar behavior again and that she expressed remorse for forwarding the racist email.
While the promotion of Linson has raised concerns about the commitment of the MPD to reform, it remains to be seen how it will impact the department’s efforts to address systemic issues and regain public trust. Critics argue that such promotions hinder progress and perpetuate a culture of discriminatory policing, while supporters believe in Linson’s ability to lead and bring about positive change within the homicide unit.
