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Chief Rondo: Securing Justice for the Murder of George Floyd
Upon the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd comes a landmark book on leadership, justice, and race by the first Black police chief in the history of the Minneapolis Police Department, the man who led through and beyond the crime, the historic protest movement, and the nationwide reckoning on race and policing
On May 25, 2020, at a neighborhood convenience store, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. In the weeks that followed, the city and the entire nation erupted with the most destructive and costly civil unrest in the United States since the Los Angeles riots 28 years earlier. Standing steadfast in the middle was Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo, the first Black police chief in the 152-year history of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Growing up in Minneapolis, Rondo understood from an early age that while police could be heroes, they could also be threats, especially to Black men like himself. When he became an officer, his purpose was he would serve the loving community that raised him and would always treat others with dignity and respect, no matter the color of their skin. In 2020 when Chief Rondo found himself at the helm of a troubled department facing a national crisis, he put accountability first. Instead of walking the line between Black and Blue, he drew a line between right and wrong.
Chief Rondo is a first-hand account of these pivotal events, offering new insights into his leadership and the broader impact on American policing. He reveals the challenges of working within a flawed system and provides inspiration for all leaders.
Chief Rondo’s decisive and courageous actions led to one of the greatest social justice victories in our the State and Federal convictions of Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao, who were responsible for George Floyd’s murder, challenging the "blue wall” that shielded police from accountability. It was an outcome so rare that Chauvin is one of just eleven non-Federal officers convicted of murder out of the 13,000 on-duty killings since 2005.
On May 25, 2020, at a neighborhood convenience store, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. In the weeks that followed, the city and the entire nation erupted with the most destructive and costly civil unrest in the United States since the Los Angeles riots 28 years earlier. Standing steadfast in the middle was Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo, the first Black police chief in the 152-year history of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Growing up in Minneapolis, Rondo understood from an early age that while police could be heroes, they could also be threats, especially to Black men like himself. When he became an officer, his purpose was he would serve the loving community that raised him and would always treat others with dignity and respect, no matter the color of their skin. In 2020 when Chief Rondo found himself at the helm of a troubled department facing a national crisis, he put accountability first. Instead of walking the line between Black and Blue, he drew a line between right and wrong.
Chief Rondo is a first-hand account of these pivotal events, offering new insights into his leadership and the broader impact on American policing. He reveals the challenges of working within a flawed system and provides inspiration for all leaders.
Chief Rondo’s decisive and courageous actions led to one of the greatest social justice victories in our the State and Federal convictions of Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao, who were responsible for George Floyd’s murder, challenging the "blue wall” that shielded police from accountability. It was an outcome so rare that Chauvin is one of just eleven non-Federal officers convicted of murder out of the 13,000 on-duty killings since 2005.
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Published May 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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November 17, 2025I'm choosing not to rate this book because I picked ut up on a whim after hearing the author speak at a local event. I think it is a good memoir, though I did find parts of it perhaps a bit tedious, and I struggled to see an overall structure to the narrative.
Nonetheless, I learned valuable information about the history of the Minneapolis police and much more about the specific events surrounding George Floyd.
As someone who watched Minneapolis burn from my college apartment, I was shamefully naive about many of the specifics of the whole story, especially the information that goes deeper beyond the headlines. I thank Chief Rondo for writing this book to illuminate some of these points, justify his actions, and provide a message of hope for the future.
Nonetheless, I learned valuable information about the history of the Minneapolis police and much more about the specific events surrounding George Floyd.
As someone who watched Minneapolis burn from my college apartment, I was shamefully naive about many of the specifics of the whole story, especially the information that goes deeper beyond the headlines. I thank Chief Rondo for writing this book to illuminate some of these points, justify his actions, and provide a message of hope for the future.
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July 29, 2025A sentimental favorite co-written by my friend and former colleague Jennifer Amie! Moving and inspirational despite the horrific reason the book had to be written.
June 2, 2025
Disclaimer: I received this book in return for a review.
Chief Rondo is the story of the first black police chief of the Minneapolis Police Department. He was in that position in 2020 when a member of the force killed George Floyd while other members looked on. This is the story of how he became a police officer and how he rose through the ranks to chief. He discusses all the obstacles he faced as a black man, and also obstacles faced by black people historically in Minnesota. He describes the effect that Floyd's killing had on him, the force and the community, and the actions he took to try to minimize the damage and to bring the perpetrators to justice. I gained a lot of respect for the man after reading this book, and I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone living in the United States.
Chief Rondo is the story of the first black police chief of the Minneapolis Police Department. He was in that position in 2020 when a member of the force killed George Floyd while other members looked on. This is the story of how he became a police officer and how he rose through the ranks to chief. He discusses all the obstacles he faced as a black man, and also obstacles faced by black people historically in Minnesota. He describes the effect that Floyd's killing had on him, the force and the community, and the actions he took to try to minimize the damage and to bring the perpetrators to justice. I gained a lot of respect for the man after reading this book, and I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone living in the United States.
May 30, 2025
Chief Rondo,
Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for educating me on so much I didn't know about Minneapolis even though I lived there for many years. And thank you for fighting for justice for George Floyd.
"Gianna, I believe adults everywhere have an obligation to all our children to never remain silent when we witness harm against humanity. To remain silent means we are complicit so we must act."
Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for educating me on so much I didn't know about Minneapolis even though I lived there for many years. And thank you for fighting for justice for George Floyd.
"Gianna, I believe adults everywhere have an obligation to all our children to never remain silent when we witness harm against humanity. To remain silent means we are complicit so we must act."
May 23, 2025
Such an important viewpoint of such an important story. Rondo’s depiction of the history of race & law enforcement in Minneapolis was eye opening & saddening.
I feel as though tough topics like this necessitate learning & acknowledgment, rather than avoidance & ignorance. I hope this book emits empathy & understanding.
The audiobook was produced well & Chief Rondo was a clear narrator.
I feel as though tough topics like this necessitate learning & acknowledgment, rather than avoidance & ignorance. I hope this book emits empathy & understanding.
The audiobook was produced well & Chief Rondo was a clear narrator.
May 27, 2025
Excellent book!
June 3, 2025
Read in 2 days. Nothing but respect, Chief.
August 6, 2025
I like reading books from different perspectives. in this case, from the MPD. only half the book is about the killing if George Floyd, I would definitely recommend!!!
September 24, 2025
Audio book, read by Rondo - excellent account of Rondo's life and time with the MPD before, during and after the events of 2020.
November 1, 2025
A very courageous man outlines what it was like to take an unprecedented stand for what is right.
September 13, 2025
Wow, this was such a powerful read. Chief Rondo's story starts well before the events that eventually put him in the spotlight. Still, sadly, his experience telegraphed the kind of racial injustice that must have been present in the police department where he worked. Chief Rondo was the first black Minneapolis police chief, and he cared for and respected the people he was tasked with protecting. He tells of incidents where people did not live up to his ideals, but he didn't compromise his.
I listened to the part where he learned about the killing of George Floyd multiple times, because I remember so well what I felt when I learned about it and watched the video. Someone asked him if a police officer had killed someone and he had no idea what they were talking about, because the officers involved did not openly report what happened. If not for the bravery of the bystander, the world would not have seen the video of the brutal killing. It's hard to watch because it goes on so long and there were so many chances to stop.
Understanding how extreme it was, Chief Rondo acted quickly and decisively, but people were already upset at the attempted cover-up. There were riots, and I heard then-President Trump telling Governor Walz that he was doing a good job dealing with it.
This book is a reminder that we can't get better and move forward unless we do face things bravely. I got to listen to the audiobook, thanks to NetGalley, and the narration was so well done and the stories were so compelling that I didn't want to take a break once I started.
I listened to the part where he learned about the killing of George Floyd multiple times, because I remember so well what I felt when I learned about it and watched the video. Someone asked him if a police officer had killed someone and he had no idea what they were talking about, because the officers involved did not openly report what happened. If not for the bravery of the bystander, the world would not have seen the video of the brutal killing. It's hard to watch because it goes on so long and there were so many chances to stop.
Understanding how extreme it was, Chief Rondo acted quickly and decisively, but people were already upset at the attempted cover-up. There were riots, and I heard then-President Trump telling Governor Walz that he was doing a good job dealing with it.
This book is a reminder that we can't get better and move forward unless we do face things bravely. I got to listen to the audiobook, thanks to NetGalley, and the narration was so well done and the stories were so compelling that I didn't want to take a break once I started.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews