Golden Valley Mayor Expresses ‘Deep Disappointment’ Police Chief on Paid Leave
Issues with policing have again bubbled to the surface in Golden Valley as Chief Virgil Green was placed on leave.
The city placed him on paid leave due to a complaint, but did not provide additional details on the nature of the complaint.
“As mayor I want to express my deep disappointment regarding the recent concerns surrounding our chief of police,” said Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon during a city council meeting this week.
Green was hired as the police department was in the middle of a staffing crisis. More than half the department left as a report accused the department of misconduct and racism.
Meanwhile, Green made history as the city’s first Black police chief. His hiring was marred by a tense selection process in which there was disagreement on candidate support.
Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green was placed on paid leave following an undisclosed complaint.
Staffing levels have bumped up under Green, who recently made headlines while the department investigated a local school administrator.
Harmon said she supports the city’s police department, and is concerned officers will feel silenced or fearful and want to leave.
“We were given a rare opportunity to rebuild, to restore morale and trust and to lead differently than we did before our downfall two years ago,” Harmon said. “Only time will tell whether or not our city is truly at risk.”
Green was previously let go from two police chief positions in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
CCX News reached out to Green for comment, but he did not respond before this story was published.
