Minneapolis police chief resigns after Justine Damond's shooting
The chief of Minneapolis police has announced her shock resignation in the wake of Australian woman Justine Ruszczyk Damond’s fatal shooting at the hand of a city police officer.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau made the announcement on Facebook Friday, writing “last Saturday’s tragedy, as well as some other recent incidents, have caused me to engage in deep reflection”.
"The recent incidents do not reflect the training and procedures we’ve developed as a Department," she wrote.
“Despite the MPD’s many accomplishments under my leadership over these years and my love for the City, I have to put the communities we serve first.
“I’ve decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be.”
Justine Ruszczyk Damond, 40, was shot by a police officer on July 15 after she had called emergency to report what she believed to be a sexual assault in a neighbouring house.
Pictured: US cop 'who shot dead Australian woman in her pyjamas'
Officers Matthew Harrity and Mohammed Noor responded to her call but had not found a suspect.
It's understood they were startled by a loud noise when Damond approached the driver's side of the car.
Noor - who was on the passenger side - then fired his gun through the open window, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Pictured: Australian woman gunned down by US police 'for no reason'
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Harteau was asked by the Mayor of Minneapolis, Betsy Hodges, to resign after she "lost confidence in the Chief's ability to lead us further".
"It is clear that she has lost the confidence of the people of Minneapolis as well," she said in a statement.
"For us to continue to transform policing - and community trust in policing - we need new leadership at MPD."
Harteau had been with the Minneapolis Police Department for about 30 years.
