Minneapolis Police Chief Urged to Address Protests

Former NYPD Captain Paul Mauro expressed concerns on Thursday about the escalating protests in Minneapolis regarding immigration enforcement, labeling the situation as “chaos.” According to Mauro, the protests followed a recent incident where an ICE officer was attacked during a traffic stop, resulting in the death of a Venezuelan immigrant.

Mauro noted that the demonstrators seemed to be trying to provoke a response from ICE, highlighting the noticeable absence of ICE agents during the unrest. He called on Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara to take action, stressing that maintaining order is a key part of their role. “Where are they?” Mauro questioned, urging O’Hara to “stand up and be a cop.”

Previously, O’Hara had criticized ICE operations, including comments made at a press conference linking illegal immigrants to crime. Following welfare fraud allegations in Minnesota, ICE deployed hundreds of agents to the area. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that local police would not collaborate with ICE enforcement efforts.

Mauro mentioned that the rioters were deliberately trying to elicit a forceful response from ICE officers. He pointed out that legal representatives from the National Lawyers Guild were present, suggesting they intended to exploit any incidents through litigation. “Cities settle all the time,” he explained, indicating the broader implications of how law enforcement is perceived and treated in such contexts.

He further elaborated on the challenges law enforcement faces, especially when outnumbered. Mauro reflected on past incidents, mentioning the shooting of Renee Good during an immigration raid, noting the complexities and pressures that officers deal with in these high-stakes environments.