Golden Valley Names Interim Police Chief, Ex-Chief Virgil Green Speaks on Resignation
Former Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green, who resigned Oct. 3 after he was accused of interfering with an internal investigation and improperly leaking body camera footage to local news media organizations, told CCX News he denies any wrongdoing.
“This is something that I truly believe that I was definitely not treated right,” Green told CCX News. “I’ll take responsibility for my actions. I’ve always said nobody is above the law, not even the police chief. And so if I did something wrong, I’m going to be the first to say ‘I did something wrong.’ But the allegations that I intimidated people, that I undermined the investigation, [I] never did anything like that.”
Green was also accused of improperly releasing police body camera footage to Twin Cities television station KTSP during an investigation. Although it was not a factor in the city’s investigation into his actions, Green gave that same unredacted body cam footage to CCX News.
He still stands behind that decision, saying state statute gives the chief the authority to release body cam footage under certain circumstances.
“A lot of thought went into that,” Green said.
Meanwhile, Green said it made more sense financially to resign than to fight a prolonged legal battle related to his employment.
“It was a lot, it was a tough decision to make especially after being with the Golden Valley Police Department a little over three years,” Green said. “It has definitely taken a toll on me and my family and so I had a tough decision to make. You know, did I want to continue to fight this in court or did I just want to just resign and walk away and leave in good standing? Because if you don’t leave in good standing with the city of Golden Valley, you forfeit your earned [paid time off].”
Former Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green, who resigned Oct. 3 after he was accused of interfering with an internal investigation, denies any wrongdoing.
Former U of M Chief to Serve as Interim
Green spoke with CCX News on Wednesday, Oct. 8 — the same day that the city announced his temporary replacement.
Matt Clark, former chief of the University of Minnesota Police Department, will come out of retirement starting Oct. 10 to serve as interim chief.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Clark, providing support and stability for staff and community, and leading a thorough police chief search process in the coming months,” said Golden Valley City Manager Noah Schuchman.
City officials plan to release a request for proposals by Monday, Oct. 13, for a search firm to lead the recruitment process for a new chief.
“We intend to have selected a search firm, gathered appropriate input from stakeholders, and posted the police chief position before the end of the year,” said Schuchman.
