Who is Brian Peters? Police union chief blames Daunte Wright for his death: 'If he would have just complied'
Following the death of Daunte Wright allegedly at the hands of former Brooklyn Center cop Kim Potter, protests have been rife and violent even as Derek Chauvin is still on trial.
In the wake of these protests, the head of Minnesota’s largest police union has blasted local officers for the way they have handled things. Identified as Brian Peters, the union chief even blamed the 20-year-old victim for how things transpired.
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Who is Brian Peters?
According to the official website of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers' Association, Peters is the executive director of the union. Speaking to WCCO news talk radio on Wednesday, April 14, Peters said: “Daunte Wright, if he would have just complied. He was told he was under arrest. They were arresting him on a warrant for weapons. He set off a chain of events that unfortunately led to his death.” Peters continued: “I’m not excusing it. But what we’re seeing in policing these days is that non-compliance by the public.”
Hailing from St Pauls in the Greater Minneapolis area, Peters describes himself as "an innovative, value driven, professional leader who displays integrity and creative thinking in all aspects of work performance," in his LinkedIn profile. He adds: "I believe strongly in organization, collaborative problem solving, clear communication and accountability. Developing capabilities in others in ways that add significant value to the department, company, and customers is one of my passions."
Peters went to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he got his Bachelors in Political Science and Government, class of 1999. After that, he attended the University of St Thomas and graduated with a Master's in Police Leadership, from 2011 to 2013. He has worked in the City of Brooklyn Center as a cop for a little over 9 years, before his stint as a senior manager and later security executive lead for 5 years until 2017. His role as the executive director of the police union started in 2019.
'This is way over his head'
Peters' controversial statement comes just a day after Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon along with Potter, resigned for what they maintain was an 'accidental' shooting of Wright at a traffic stop in the Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, April 11. In a bodycam footage, Potter can be seen yelling "Taser! Taser!" before firing a single round from her service weapon. This mortally wounded wright, who drove his car a little while before he crashed.
Gannon claimed Potter thought she had grabbed her taser instead of gun, even though both are worn on opposite sides and also have significant differences in their weight. This followed soon after the city council voted to fire Gannon, Potter and City Manager Curt Boganey. “This is way over his head,” Peters said of Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott. Both Curt Boganey and Tim Gannon were political pawns in whatever game the current mayor is playing. If I were the mayor, I would not allow the political activists to run the show.”