Several public safety groups endorse Rich Stanek for Hennepin County Sheriff

Six public safety groups including the Hennepin County Sheriff Office Deputies Association, the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation, Police Officers Alliance of Minnesota and the Firefighters Association of Minneapolis local #82, endorsed Rich Stanek for Sheriff. Stanek, who is currently a Captain with the Minneapolis Police Department, is a former Republican State legislator and former Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner. Stanek touted his experience at the news conference:

"The groups today that have announced their support of my candidacy represent the people who patrol our streets, put out fires, and help us with medical emergencies. They know it takes experience, leadership, and the ability to bring people together to keep us safe at home, work, and in our schools."

Stanek resigned his post as Public Safety Commissioner under pressure in 2004 for racist comments he made in 1992. When asked what he would say to people who had concerns about those comments, Stanek said this:

"I have spent the last several years of my professional career building coalitions. I can't change that part of the past but I can tell I've learned a lot. I can tell you I reached out to a number of folks. I can tell you that the co-chairs of my campaign, the workers who are here today, pounding on signs, knocking on doors, supporting me, they are broad based. They are real people. They're concerned about crime and race, gender, creed, ethnicity cuts across those boundaries. It's about keeping the people of Hennepin County safe."

There are six candidates running for Hennepin County Sheriff. Juan Lopez has the DFL endorsement and works with juvenile offenders in Hennepin County. Bruce Anderson is a 28-year veteran of the Orono police department. Tom Fitzhenry has been a police officer for the City of Richfield for 28 years. Linda Lachner of Maple Grove and Daniel Rusch of Tonka Bay are also running. The top two vote getters in the September primary move on to the November election.

I truly believe the Stanek endorsement by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputy Association is misleading. The group as a whole was not allowed a vote on who to endorse.

Sincerely,
Jackie Colden
Deputy
HCSO

The last time I checked, the Law Enforcement was to enforce the laws. Not be a political body. There is one candidate that will not let any political views get in the way of his job. Tom Fitzhenry is the man. He is also active in everything his local community does. From High School football, to local celebrations, to assisting youth, he is there. Anyone can approch him just to say Hi or for a problem. I have know him my whole life and I would be proud to have him as my Sheriff.

You didn't put any information in your article about me, just my name. I want to let readers know that I am a 23 year veteran of law enforcement and am currently a sergeant in charge of night shifts for the South Lake Minnetonka police Department. I've been with SLM for 22 years. I have a bachelors degree in physical education and a masters degree in public safety administration and education. I grew up in Minnetonka and have been a resident of Tonka Bay for 20 years.

My vote will also be for Tom Fitzhenry. I have met both Tom and Rich Stanek. Tom's interest is solely in being Sheriff of Hennepin County, nothing else. He has no further "political" motives. I want a Sheriff, not a controversy.

As a resident of Richfield, I have seen Tom in action many times. His common sense approach to problems and commitment to all citizens should not go unnoticed. His willingness to make sure the streets are safe to enforcing the law makes him the best candidate. Tom would do a great job as Hennepin County Sheriff.

It appears to me that we have a choice between five acceptable candidates for Hennepin County sheriff and one whose long record shows that his agenda is focused on his problems of bluster and machismo. Unfortunately the latter has the money and establishment behind him or afraid to expose him. Rick Stanek's refusal to apologize for his racist words is further evidence that he still holds those views, even if he realizes that it is unpolitic to express them openly now. He will further divide us and decrease our safety on our streets and in our homes. Juan Lopez is softspoken, but has the experience and ability, and the best chance to win.

My concern with Rich Stanek isn't racist comments - it's that he has a record of beating people up while in uniform. There are two cases of police brutality - which got litigated - and the city of Minneapolis settled that involve Rich Stanek.

I hope MPR looks into these cases and asks Rich Stanek about them. This is much more serious than racist jokes.

Learn more about my run for sheriff, at www.brucelanderson.com

I don't understand how Juan Lopez feels he is qualified to be the Sheriff of the largest county in the State of Minensota! He's not a licensed police officer!

Shelley needs to get her facts correct. Mr. Lopez is licensed. Check with the POST board.

I just found this site tonight. Eva Young has it exactly right on Stanek. While he makes vague references to the notion that he has "learned" from his past, to date he has never acknowledged that he brutalized anyone - although this is clearly what happened in those cases. I can't bring myself to vote for anyone who thinks he is entitled to a "pass" on police brutality. Too bad he's not running for dog catcher, because I'd like to see him not get elected as that, either.

My vote will be for Tom Fitzhenry. I have known Tom almost seven years. I think he is the best person for the job. He has the background needed and knowing that he doesn't want the job to propel himself further into politics is very refreshing.

My support will also be for Tom Fitzhenry. I truly believe he would make a terrific Sheriff for both residents within the county and employees of the Sheriff's Office. Regarding Lopez, he may be licensed, but I believe his license was activated when he was initially hired by Bloomington P.D., who he did not stay with. Juan has nearly zero experience as an actual licensed peace officer. Though his license may be active, that's different than working the job. Other candidates don't appear that serious to me. Go Tom!!!
Perry King
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff

Now that the primary is over I do not care who is sheriff just so it is not Stanek who thinks because he hobnobs with the wealthy and so called powerful he can be sheriff.This just is not right I have had enough of people bullying and buying their way into politics. The fair honest people,who will work hard for everyone need a chance. Let's unite!

I posted before the primary (above) about Stanek's history of police brutality. It seems that many of us posting here know about it, and rightly voice concerns.

More troubling, however, was the fact that as Chair of the POST Board his actions in firing the Executive Director got the Board into protracted litigation, which went up to the Court of Appeals twice. He wasn't exactly exonerated for his role, either. If elected to run the Sheriff's office, can we expect more of that destructive management style? This has a direct bearing on his fitness for this office.

I encourage the readers of this blog to get their hands on copies of the Carter v. POST Board decisions and look closely at the facts of the case to see how Stanek's handling of his powers as Board Chair resulted in this lawsuit.

If you factually look at Lopez's record you will see that he has approximately FOUR months of law enforcement experience. That's correct...FOUR months. God knows I don't care for Stanek but he is going to get my vote. At least he has over TWENTY years experience and people DO learn from their mistakes. Lopez doesn't have the experience or knowledge to run a 2 person department let alone over 300 deputies.