CUAPB object to Bob Kroll's application as federal marshal

Communities United Against Police Brutality objects in the strongest possible terms to any consideration of Robert J. Kroll for appointment as a federal marshal.

During his tenure with the Minneapolis Police Department, community members filed 52 complaints against Kroll, a number of which were upheld.  He was disciplined in at least one Internal Affairs complaint.  Kroll was also sued a dozen times, costing the city millions in judgments and settlements, including in the Art-a-Whirl incident.

In two lawsuits filed by media and peaceful protesters over his conduct after the murder of George Floyd, Kroll was found to have encouraged excessive force and other unconstitutional behavior by rank-and-file police officers by inserting himself in a leadership role and sowing discord between officers and command staff.  In settlement of the suits, Kroll is banned from serving as a law enforcement officer in the state’s three most populous counties for a decade.  His statements during the unrest led to former Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau calling Kroll a "disgrace to the badge."

Federal marshals engage in law enforcement activities with minimal supervision. It was federal marshals who organized the task force that killed Winston Smith in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis on June 3, 2021.  To date, those officers have never been identified or held accountable.  “Bob Kroll has a long history of excessive force and unconstitutional conduct.  He is no longer permitted to work in law enforcement in Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties.  Federal marshals have enormous power with little oversight--a recipe for disaster if Kroll is in that position,” stated Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality.