Mayor Frey Ignores Call for Accountability in Wake of Hanneman Reassignment

Amir Locke, a 22-year-old Black man, was killed by Sgt. Mark Hanneman during a pre-dawn no-knock raid in February 2022. Locke was not the target of the warrant. His death sparked nationwide protests and intensified scrutiny of Minneapolis policing practices, already under fire following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Hanneman was never criminally charged in Locke’s death.

The Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot Amir Locke during a no-knock warrant operation in 2022 has been reassigned from the department’s Training Unit following widespread public outcry. Community members, civil rights leaders, and Locke’s family demanded Mark Hanneman’s removal from a role leading MPD’s use-of-force training, citing concerns over accountability, transparency, and community trust.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Hanneman’s final day in the training unit was July 24 and that he will transition to MPD’s newly formed Wellness Unit. The decision followed internal conversations between O’Hara, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette.

O’Hara said that the move aims to maintain community trust and avoid disruptions to ongoing department reforms.

“We have been working relentlessly to reform our policing practices while repairing community relationships and trust in our department,” he said. “We can’t afford to have anything distract from that progress.”

Community Outrage and Demands

The reassignment comes after sustained criticism from community leaders, including activist and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong. In a July 16 open letter to Jacob Frey, Nekima gave a list of demands, including Hanneman’s immediate removal from any leadership or training role within MPD. She also openly called out Frey for lying about campaign promises.

"You promised to end no-knock warrants in 2021 while campaigning for re-election. You made a public commitment," Nekima wrote. "But less than three months after voters returned you to office, Amir Locke was executed by MPD officers during a botched no-knock raid—one you claimed would no longer be happening on your watch."

The open letter also calls for:

• a public apology to Amir Locke’s family;

• an independent misconduct investigation into the appointment;

• a public explanation from MPD leadership;

• the end of toxic policing culture within the department;

• and a commitment to reform training through external, community-led processes.

"You alone have authority over the Minneapolis Police Department, thanks to the voters. So you cannot kick the can down the road and blame City Council or anyone else," Nekima said. "You alone are responsible for these decisions, and you need to answer for your poor decision-making and poor leadership in this situation."

Despite the public pressure and the gravity of the demands, Mayor Jacob Frey has not issued a public response to Levy Armstrong’s letter as of July 28. "I'm still expecting a response from Jacob Frey to my open letter. Your time for excuses is over," said Nekima. If Mayor Frey fails to right the situation, Nekima says the public should hold him accountable at the ballot box this November.