Minneapolis police officer sues Chief Tim Dolan

A Minneapolis police officer sued Police Chief Tim Dolan Tuesday for publicly discussing his transfer out of the homicide unit for insubordination.

Sgt. Charlie Adams, a respected detective, was transferred last November after publicly contradicting his supervisor, Lt. Amelia Huffman, about the murder of bicyclist Mark Loesch.

The suit claims that Dolan violated the data practices act and that Dolan's statements were false and defamatory.

Adams already is involved in an eyebrow-raising discrimination suit against the department involving four other black officers.

Lt. John Delmonico, head of the police union, said it's the chief's style to "talk to everybody about everything, thinking that will solve the problem."

"But it only creates more," Delmonico said. "In my 20 years with the department and longtime service with the [union], this is the first time I can recall a lawsuit like this."

The suit claims Adams was told he was being transferred to a less-prestigious investigative position in the Fourth Precinct for the good of the department and not for disciplinary reasons.

The suit centers on the death of Mark Loesch, a 41-year-old father of four who was beaten to death Sept. 12 in the 3700 block of Elliot Avenue S.

In announcing charges in the case nearly two months later, Huffman said the suspect told police that Loesch was in the area to buy marijuana.

In a Star Tribune article several days later, Adams said that there was no proof of a drug deal and that detectives in the case "shouldn't get beat up for another person's comment." Adams and his partner on the case, Sgt. Richard Zimmerman, apologized to Loesch's family.

At the time, Dolan said he wouldn't have been discussing Adams' transfer publicly if the detective hadn't made comments in the newspaper. He said Adams' actions were affecting the effectiveness and cohesiveness of the unit.

According to the suit, Adams received positive job performance reviews during his five years in the homicide unit and has never been disciplined during his 22-year career. During his three months under Huffman, there was one incident that could be considered insubordination.

Following the incident, Adams, Huffman and Capt. Dave Hayhoe conferred during a "coaching session." The suit alleges that Huffman illegally taped the discussions and played them in public.

The suit claims that Dolan violated state law by discussing the specific reasons for Adams' transfer in public before the final disposition of any disciplinary action was concluded.

Adams, who has also filed a grievance with the city over the transfer, declined to comment. Dolan said none of the allegations are new and will be handled through the legal process.

Delmonico said Adams' case is another example of the administration playing by its own rules, "and that's unacceptable." Dolan chose sides without having all the facts and then dug in his heels, he said.

"I've gotten more e-mails and calls from officers wanting to know why the chief did what he did," Delmonico said. "People think highly of Charlie."

Adams was told he could return to the unit if he apologized for the incident, but he refused.

The department later issued a statement reaffirming the decision to publicly discuss the events leading to the killing, and that they were made carefully and with the support of the police administration.

dchanen@startribune.com • 612-673-4465 tcollins@startribune.com • 612-673-1790