Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has named his top pick to lead the city’s civil rights department.
Michelle Phillips currently serves as inspector general for the city of Oakland, California, and will bring deep expertise in civilian oversight of police, provide leadership in advancing constitutional policing and build departmental infrastructure to ensure a thorough and fair investigative process, the mayor said in recommending Phillips.
“Michelle has dedicated much of her professional life to strengthening government accountability,” Frey said in a statement Wednesday. “Her extensive experience and community-oriented approach make her a great fit to lead the Minneapolis Civil Rights Division.”
Phillips’ nomination has been sent to the City Council for a confirmation hearing. If approved, Phillips would begin work in Minneapolis in July.
Phillips replaces Alberta Gillespie, who was fired in February after higher-ups determined he posed an “immediate threat” to the city’s ability to reform police following a court-approved settlement. City records show the Office of Police Conduct Review, part of the Civil Rights Division, failed to address complaints about police conduct in a timely manner as part of the city’s latest effort toward civilian oversight of police misconduct.
Gillespie has been in the position since November 2021, earning $179,000 in compensation, and his term was due to expire in 2026.
Since Gillespie was fired, city operations director Margaret Anderson Kelliher has been serving as interim director.
If confirmed, Phillips would oversee a 46-person police department staff tasked with enforcing city ordinances, investigating discriminatory practices, ensuring protections for protected individuals and promoting civil rights awareness among residents, businesses and government. The police department, through its Office of Police Conduct Review, is tasked with implementing reform efforts called for in a settlement agreement the city reached with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
“Michelle has extensive experience working with peer cities, particularly in implementing police oversight measures,” Kelliher said. “This leadership and change management expertise will benefit the City of Minneapolis at a critical time for the Office of Civil Rights.”
“I am honored and humbled to serve as the next Director of the Civil Rights Division,” said Phillips. “This is a critical time for civil rights, and I am committed to working with all stakeholders toward a more fair and equal Minneapolis.”