Bob Kroll, the leader of the Minneapolis police union, has a long history of violence and racism, consistently defends officers accused of misconduct and brutality, and smears the victims of police killings to justify their deaths. He fights reform and accountability tooth and nail, and poisons any possibility of a better relationship between the community and the police.

You've taken action with us to confront the power of police unions before. Will you join us demanding that Minneapolis leaders denounce Bob Kroll and push for his removal?

After George Floyd's death, Kroll called him a “violent criminal,” called the protests a “terrorist movement,” and he is defending the four officers who participated in killing Floyd. Kroll has said “I’ve been involved in three shootings myself, and not a one of them has bothered me.” Minneapolis police officers shouldn’t allow someone like Kroll to represent them, and elected officials shouldn’t tolerate police union leadership that promotes bigotry and violence, and blocks accountability and reform.

Kroll, like many police union leaders, is notorious for defending dangerous and abusive cops, resisting any form of accountability for police officers, and doing everything possible to block reform. He has worn a white supremacist badge, associated with other white supremacist cops, made many racist statements, and committed unprovoked brutality himself. After the city of Minneapolis recently banned “warrior-style” training -- referred to by its proponents as “killology” -- Kroll went out of his way to attack the decision and continue providing the training to cops. The former police chief of Minneapolis has called on Kroll to resign.

Kroll and the police union he leads aren’t unique. The Minneapolis police union -- like police unions across the country -- fights against police reform and accountability tooth and nail. They routinely defend violent and abusive officers, and often succeed in getting violent cops reinstated after they are fired. They use their political power to fight reform, and win contracts that effectively put police above the law. They attack and threaten anyone who dares to challenge the police, including activists, elected officials, and everyday people.

It’s time to confront police unions and expose their role in perpetuating police brutality, shielding violent police from accountability, and blocking common-sense reform. Confronting Bob Kroll and the Minneapolis police union is the first step in challenging the power of police unions across the country. By forcing Kroll out of leadership at the Minneapolis Police Federation, we can send a powerful message to police unions everywhere: if you continue to promote and defend police violence, your power will be taken away.