Minneapolis Park Police Chief Fired
The following KMSP-TV 9 report was aired during the July 19, 2010 10 p.m. newscast:
MINNEAPOLIS PARK POLICE CHIEF FIRED
MINNEAPOLIS - Chief of the Minneapolis Park Police Brad Johnson has been fired.
It is unclear why Johnson was fired. Johnson’s lawyer, Marshall Tanick, is offering few clues.
On the job only two weeks, interim park superintendent David Fisher made the decision without the approval of park board commissioners.
Several FOX 9 contacted, said they were unaware of the reason why. A press release announcing his replacement, Lt. Linda Bergstrom, makes only a passing reference to Johnson and his nine years of service.
In 2001, he replaced then Park Police Chief Bill Jacobs, who's now accused of molesting more than 20 children over a 30 year period.
Fisher, who was park superintendent for 17 years, before coming back for a four month interim basis, has been promising reorganization.
Arlene Fried, who co-founded a park watchdog group, is surprised Chief Johnson was the first head to role.
The department is charged with providing safety and security in the city's 170 parks.