Minneapolis, MN -
Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously approved openly gay Janee Harteau as the city's new police chief.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Harteau has been on the force 25 years. She will replace former chief Tim Dolan, who retired in November.
"I want to thank her for her willingness to step forward for what is absolutely the toughest job in the city," Mayor R.T. Rybak said on Friday.
Harteau vowed to council members after the vote, "I won't let you down."
She said that being the city's first female, openly gay police chief wasn't personally significant.
"For others it might be [significant]," she said. "And if I can be a role model ... I want people to see that you can achieve things despite some obstacles in your way. I stand on my merits on how I got here. I've been given tremendous opportunity."
Janee Harteau: Minneapolis' first lesbian police chief
Mon. December 3, 2012 7:11 AM by OnTopMag.com
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine