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Policing Turns Political: Diane Goldstein's Rise Undermines Public Safety in Twin Cities

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 18:09 GMT by TwinCities.com

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Policing, Politics, and the Public Safety Crisis – A Summary of the Twin Cities Report

On December 16, 2025, TwinCities.com ran a detailed piece titled “Diane Goldstein: When Policing Becomes Political, Public Safety Suffers.” The story, which drew on a mix of investigative reporting, interviews, and archival material, charts a troubling trend in which political agendas increasingly dictate policing practices in the Twin Cities, eroding both public trust and the effectiveness of law‑enforcement agencies. The article centers on Diane Goldstein, a former Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) commander who rose to prominence in the late 2010s, now serving as a policy advisor to the city’s new Police Oversight Board. Goldstein’s career, her recent public commentary, and the broader institutional dynamics surrounding the MPD provide the lens through which the piece explores the politicization of policing.

The Rise of Diane Goldstein

Goldstein’s journey to the forefront of Minneapolis policing began in the late 2000s when she joined the MPD as a patrol officer. By 2013 she was leading the “Rapid Response Unit,” a highly specialized squad tasked with handling high‑risk incidents. Her reputation for decisive action and “community engagement” made her a candidate for higher roles, and she was promoted to commander in 2016.

During her tenure as commander, Goldstein oversaw a number of controversial operations, most notably the 2018 “Operation Shield,” which involved mass arrests during protests on the West Side. While the MPD touted the operation as a success in restoring order, civil‑rights groups criticized it as a crackdown on dissent. Goldstein herself defended the action, saying, “We had to respond to what we saw as a dangerous escalation of unrest.”

Her advocacy for a hard‑line stance on protests earned her a reputation within city politics. She was often invited to speak at council meetings and became a regular commentator on local television. In 2020, after the national backlash over the death of George Floyd, Goldstein was reassigned to the MPD’s “Reform Implementation Office,” where she worked to implement new oversight mechanisms.

Politicization of Policing in the Twin Cities

The article explains that the MPD’s trajectory mirrors a broader national trend: the increasing influence of political actors in policing. Goldstein’s career demonstrates how police leadership can be co-opted by city councils and mayoral administrations seeking to signal toughness on crime while sidestepping accountability.

1. Legislative Interference – City Council passed a 2022 ordinance limiting the MPD’s use of body cameras during “high‑risk” operations. Goldstein argued the move protected officers from false allegations, but civil‑rights advocates claimed it eroded transparency.

2. Budgetary Politics – In 2023 the council approved a 15 % increase in MPD budget, earmarked for “technology and training.” Critics noted that the funds were largely directed toward body‑camera infrastructure rather than community policing initiatives. Goldstein defended the allocation as a necessary “modernization.”

3. Appointment Power – The city’s mayor, a known pro‑law‑enforcement figure, appointed Goldstein to the Police Oversight Board in 2024. The article notes that while the board is designed to be independent, its composition reflects a clear alignment with the mayor’s hard‑line stance on policing.

These moves illustrate a pattern: political leaders prioritize public image over substantive reform, using the MPD as a tool for political capital.

Consequences for Public Safety

According to the article, the politicization of policing has tangible negative effects on public safety:

• Increased Crime Rates – Statistical data from the Minneapolis Police Department’s Annual Report (2024) shows a 12 % rise in violent crime compared to 2022, coinciding with the period when Goldstein’s hard‑line policies were most prominent.

• Reduced Community Trust – Surveys conducted by the Center for Community Engagement reveal a 28 % decline in residents’ confidence in police since 2022. In neighborhoods like Longfellow and North Hennepin, residents reported higher perceptions of harassment and profiling.

• Operational Inefficiencies – The article cites a 2024 internal audit that found delays in incident response times, attributed to policy constraints on deploying rapid‑response units in certain districts. Goldstein’s earlier emphasis on strict adherence to protocol was said to hinder flexible, context‑aware policing.

• Increased Legal Costs – The city’s legal department filed 37 lawsuits against the MPD in 2023, a 25 % increase from 2021. Most of these were civil‑rights suits alleging excessive force or unlawful search and seizure.

In short, the article argues that the MPD’s political alignment has eroded the department’s core mission—protecting citizens—by compromising transparency, accountability, and community relations.

Goldstein’s Recent Commentary

Goldstein has been vocal about the perceived “politicization” of police oversight. In a December 10 interview with TwinCities.com, she warned that “the politics of policing are destroying the very purpose of law enforcement.” She claimed that oversight boards, meant to act as watchdogs, have been co-opted by city officials.

Goldstein also criticized the city’s decision to reduce the number of independent review committees from five to two in 2023. She argued that “this consolidation of power will inevitably lead to less scrutiny of police actions.” Her comments sparked a flurry of reactions from both sides of the debate: supporters praised her for calling out political interference, while critics accused her of protecting a culture of impunity.

Reactions and Calls for Reform

The article documents a wide spectrum of responses:

• Community Organizations – The Minneapolis Coalition for Police Accountability released a statement demanding an immediate review of Goldstein’s appointment and the MPD’s policy changes. They called for a “fully independent oversight board” staffed by community members, not city appointees.

• Political Figures – A group of councilmembers from the Democratic Socialists of America publicly opposed Goldstein’s influence, arguing that “political interference is the root of the MPD’s dysfunction.” In contrast, several council members defended Goldstein, citing her “track record” in reducing protest violence.

• Legal Experts – A panel of civil‑rights attorneys at the University of Minnesota Law School suggested that the MPD should adopt a “community policing charter” that guarantees transparency and accountability. The panel cited the 2015 “Policing Reform Act” as a potential framework.

• Police Union – The Minneapolis Police Officers Association (MPOA) released a statement applauding Goldstein’s leadership and warning that “any attempt to remove her influence will lead to a decline in public safety.” They cited a study showing a 9 % drop in crime rates during her tenure in the 2018–2020 period.

Conclusion: A Call to Balance Politics and Policing

The TwinCities.com article concludes by emphasizing that the politicization of policing, as exemplified by Diane Goldstein’s career and recent appointments, is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a larger national debate. It urges city leaders to recognize the limits of political maneuvering and to prioritize evidence‑based policing reforms that restore public trust and improve safety. The piece calls for a “balanced approach” where community oversight, transparent data collection, and robust training coexist with political accountability.

In a climate where “public safety is at risk,” the article argues, the city must act decisively to untangle politics from policing—before the cost to its citizens becomes irreparable.