Lucy Gerold & John Delmonico

Better Policing Through Leadership, Accountability, and Partnership

An interview in the series: “How to Restore Faith in Our Minnesota Institutions”

May 13, 2025

Featuring: Lucy Gerold, former deputy chief, Minneapolis Police Department, and John Delmonico, former Minneapolis Police lieutenant, and former president of the Police Officers Federation

Present: Paul Ostrow (moderator), Janis Clay, T Williams, Luka Jacobi-Krohn, Chloe Zhao. Guests: Lucy Gerold, John Delmonico

Summary

Relationships, accountability, and inclusive leadership are at the heart of successful police-community trust-building, say retired Minneapolis Police Department leaders Lucy Gerold and John Delmonico. Drawing on decades of experience, they outlined practical lessons from their time in the Minneapolis Police Department, including their leadership roles.

Gerold emphasized building trust through persistent, empathetic engagement—"show up, show up, and show up again"—as well as holding officers accountable through clear expectations, inclusive leadership, and strategic partnerships. Delmonico highlighted the importance of the Police Community Relations Council (PCRC), an initiative that brought community leaders and police together weekly for two years to build understanding and draft reforms—work that was unfortunately shelved by new leadership.

Both stressed that effective policing cannot exist without community relationships and internal culture change. They also emphasized supervisory consistency, fair discipline, and public transparency. Gerold and Delmonico expressed hope for a future model of policing grounded in the guardian mindset rather than the warrior culture, emphasizing empathy, education, and restorative approaches.

Background

Lucy Gerold served 34 years with the Minneapolis Police Department, rising to deputy chief and precinct commander. She implemented collaborative crime reduction strategies and pioneered community policing. Later, she directed the Jeremiah Program and currently works with Braver Angels to depolarize American discourse.

John Delmonico served 37 years with MPD, and was an 8-term president of the Police Officers Federation. Known for seeking dialogue between police and community leaders, he played a central role in early reform efforts like the PCRC and has taught at Metropolitan State University.

Discussion

What defined your most successful efforts to build trust in policing and among criminal justice partners during your career?
Gerold described the importance of building relationships through visibility, consistency, and empathy. She emphasized leading by example, engaging in every level of training, showing up at community meetings, holding officers accountable, and celebrating successes. She underscored inclusive leadership and cited a successful collaboration in Peavey Park that reduced crime through multi-sector partnerships.

Delmonico reflected on his work in the Police Community Relations Council, where police and community members met weekly for two years under federal mediation. The experience led to strong, lasting relationships and mutual understanding. He stressed that respect, communication, and listening—even in disagreement—built trust.

How do you build credibility and trust in communities where police are deeply distrusted?
Gerold emphasized repeatedly showing up, keeping promises, and bringing officers with her into the community to build team-wide trust. She created expectations for all personnel to engage with the community and coached officers through it.

Delmonico highlighted the importance of positive community interactions outside of 911 calls. He described inviting community members to speak at roll calls, helping officers hear firsthand the concerns of those they serve. Leadership support for officers' well-being and professionalism was also critical.

How can the general public develop a more accurate and informed view of law enforcement?
Gerold advocated for frequent, transparent communication. She suggested regular updates on arrests, stops, and race data, along with commendations and complaints, to demystify police work and build trust. Building relationships with reporters is key to getting positive stories published.

Delmonico said the media tends to spotlight police misconduct, and the public hears little about everyday police successes. He argued that leadership and city officials must support and stand with officers publicly, as their tone heavily influences public perception.

What changes are needed to improve accountability and internal discipline in police departments?
Gerold stressed the need to enforce existing policies rather than create new ones. Discipline must be swift, fair, and handled by courageous leaders. She gave examples of personally reviewing performance appraisals and demanding honest evaluations.

Delmonico said discipline should be corrective, not punitive, and delivered promptly. He recounted proposing alternative, educational disciplines for officers, such as spending time with domestic violence counselors, but this was rejected by leadership in favor of unpaid suspension. Inconsistent accountability across precincts also undermines trust.

How do you envision the future of policing in an evolving social and technological landscape?
Gerold envisions building a precinct from scratch based on a guardian model, with officers chosen for compassion, trained in inclusive leadership, and held to high standards. She supports redefining what roles truly require a badge and a gun, and shifting many calls to other service responders, such as for mental health crises.

Delmonico emphasized ethics education for officers, and innovative approaches like mediation between citizens and officers. He noted the imbalance in training priorities—too much on physical survival, not enough on ethical decision-making.

How can law enforcement better engage with youth?
Gerold described programs where officers greet students at school entrances, serve lunch, and attend civics classes. Simple human connections build relationships over time.

Delmonico shared how speaking at his niece’s middle-school classes made a big impact. Officers need to be present in schools and after-school programs, as they once were. Pulling them out of schools after high-profile incidents, is the wrong approach.

How has political partisanship affected public safety and policing?
Gerold noted the rise of polarizing cultural symbols worn by officers that alienate some members of the public. She called for professionalism in appearance and conduct, particularly in uniform. She also emphasized the importance of focusing on shared humanity and collaboration.

Delmonico said law and order have become politically charged, often casting police in a partisan light. He stressed the need for honest public dialogue and leaders who support good policing without vilifying the profession.

How do we avoid losing successful community programs with each new leadership change?
Gerold called for setting clear priorities with community input and holding firm when new initiatives threaten to dilute efforts. Policymakers must support continuity and focus on what works.

Delmonico reflected on the SAFE program, which paired officers with civilian crime prevention specialists. The model was replicated nationally but later defunded in Minneapolis. He urged a return to investing in programs with proven impact.

Final Thoughts

Gerold expressed optimism. She pointed to measurable improvements in accountability and culture. The future lies in honest leadership, shared goals, and mutual respect.

Delmonico echoed that hope. “Be at the table,” he urged. “Don’t just stand in the back of the room and complain.” He encouraged young people to stay engaged and to keep conversation and collaboration alive.