‘Absolutely Disgusted’: Sheriff Slams MPD Actions During Protests

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN — Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer on Wednesday strongly criticized the Minneapolis Police Department and its officers’ use of force against protesters after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

Speaking during an advisory council meeting for the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, Deringer said he could no longer defend MPD after videos were released several weeks ago that showed its officers laughing and celebrating after shooting protesters with rubber bullets, KSTP reports.

“I was absolutely disgusted watching that. And I’ve defended that agency for the very last time,” Deringer said, according to audio of the meeting broadcast by KSTP.

The videos were released as part of the case against Jaleel Stallings, who was charged with two counts of attempted murder and assault after police said he shot at them on May 30, 2020.

Stallings claimed self-defense and said he shot at an unmarked white van after he was hit in the chest with what turned out to be a rubber bullet fired by police, the Associated Press reported.

Stallings was acquitted of all charges against him after a jury trial in July. He has since filed a lawsuit against the Minneapolis Police Department and 19 officers, alleging they “engaged in a pattern of violence and malice towards protestors and civilians" on May 30, 2020, Fox 9 reports.

The Minnesota Reformer in September published an in-depth report on Stallings’ case and acquittal, which included body camera footage of his arrest that showed SWAT officers kicking and punching Stallings while he was on the ground.

Deringer said Wednesday that he is “so upset with the lack of leadership” within the Minneapolis Police Department, KSTP reports.

There are “other agencies throughout the state that truly do an unbelievable job serving our communities, yet we are all cast in the same barrel of crap coming out of Minneapolis proper,” Deringer said.

A spokesperson for the Minneapolis Police Department said in a statement to KSTP that it would not respond to Deringer’s comments due to “professional courtesy and out of respect for Sheriff Deringer’s leadership position.”