In a controversial move that has sparked outrage among police reform advocates, the Minneapolis Police Department has promoted an officer with a racist past to head its homicide division. Lieutenant Aimee Linson, a 25-year veteran of the force, was chosen to lead the unit just six months after returning from a year-long suspension. This decision has raised questions about the department's commitment to changing the culture within the force, especially in light of the high-profile murder of George Floyd by former officer Derek Chauvin in 2020.

Linson's promotion comes as longtime head of the homicide unit, Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman, was advanced to the position of commander. Zimmerman, who played a crucial role as a witness in Chauvin's trial, will now serve as a community liaison and mentor to younger investigators at crime scenes. The personnel changes were announced in an internal email this week, further fueling the controversy surrounding the department's decision.

Linson's suspension and subsequent promotion stem from an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in 2021, which exposed a pattern and practice of discriminatory policing within the Minneapolis Police Department. It was during this investigation that it was discovered that Linson had forwarded a racist email to colleagues in 2012. The email, titled "Only in the Ghetto," contained several pictures that negatively portrayed Black people. The email had gone unnoticed until the investigation brought it to light.

Following the investigation, Linson was suspended by Interim Chief Amelia Huffman in March 2022. She remained on paid leave until Chief Brian O'Hara resolved the case with a written reprimand in April. The reprimand stated that Linson had "failed to meet our standards" and that her actions "undermined public trust." Despite this disciplinary action, critics argue that the promotion sends a message that the department is not serious about addressing its deeply rooted issues with racism and discrimination.

In defense of the promotion, Chief O'Hara highlighted Linson's experience leading the Crisis Negotiations and Shooting Response teams. He stated that she was the most qualified candidate to oversee the Homicide unit, emphasizing her ability to interact with individuals in moments of grief and her understanding of complex investigative processes. O'Hara also stated that there was no evidence suggesting that Linson had engaged in similar behavior since the incident and that she had expressed remorse for forwarding the racist email.

However, detractors argue that Linson's promotion and the department's handling of the situation highlight a broader problem within the Minneapolis Police Department. Kimberly Milliard, of the Racial Justice Network, criticized the department's lack of accountability and transparency in disciplining officers. Milliard referenced other complaints that have been filed against Linson since the incident, as well as investigations launched against Zimmerman, suggesting that these actions demonstrate a systemic issue within the department.

The controversy surrounding Linson's promotion further underscores the need for the implementation of reforms within the Minneapolis Police Department. While a settlement agreement with the state to implement sweeping reforms has been reached, a separate consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice is still pending. As the city continues to grapple with the fallout from the murder of George Floyd, many are calling for meaningful change and a commitment to dismantling the systems of racism and discrimination that have plagued the police force for years.