Minneapolis council votes 9-4 to eliminate safety office; Mayor Frey meeting with council members

Local News Minneapolis council votes 9-4 to eliminate safety office; Mayor Frey meeting with council members By Conor Wight, Conor Wight Reporter Conor Wight joined WCCO after cultivating his skills as an award-winning investigative reporter in Syracuse, NY. As a newcomer to Minnesota, he's excited to explore this beautiful state and all that the Twin Cities have to offer. Read Full Bio Conor Wight, WCCO Staff Updated on: October 29, 2026 / 3:27 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota Add CBS News on Google The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-4 Thursday to eliminate the Office of Community Safety.Mayor Jacob Frey is scheduled to meet with Council Members Jamison Whiting and Linea Palmisano at 3:30 p.m. in his office; the two were among the four who voted against eliminating the office.The office is led by a commissioner of community safety, who oversees the police and fire departments, 911, emergency management and neighborhood safety.Toddrick Barnette, a former Hennepin County chief judge, was nominated by Frey and sworn in as commissioner in October 2023. He succeeded Cedric Alexander, the first person to hold the job.The council voted 7-6 on April 9 against reappointing Barnette after Frey nominated him for another term. City Council President Elliott Payne said Barnette had been "far too absent and often disconnected from the role." Other council members who voted no argued he failed to control overspending and poorly managed the city's violence interruptor program. Frey vetoed the decision. A city spokesperson said no one had vetoed a cabinet appointee before, at least since the current city government structure was established in 2013.The council voted 7-6 on April 20 to override the veto, falling short of the nine votes needed. The outcome meant the council's rejection did not stand, but Barnette did not receive a new permanent term either.Barnette has since served as interim commissioner. A city spokesperson said in August that he will leave at the end of the year while a search for a permanent commissioner moves forward. In: Police Reform Minneapolis Featured Local Savings Minneapolis sets early voting record for non-presidential election Baltimore City Council advances plan for new Department of Neighborhood Safety Eden Prairie community gathers for school safety meeting Minneapolis City Council approves safe parking program for people sleeping in their vehicles Minneapolis seeing "very high" early voter turnout for midterms Aurora City Council refuses to reconsider vote for moratorium on data centers Calabasas residents voice safety concerns caused by power shutoffs Former College Park police chief files lawsuit against city