Gang Strike Force Shut Down Permanently

MINNEAPOLIS - At 1 p.m. Friday, Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion shut down the Metro Gang Strike Force permanently.

This news comes after Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek announced he was recalling Capt. Chris Omodt , who has been the commander of the Metro Gang Strike Force. Omodt was appointed commander after allegations of $18,000 in missing cash and more than a dozen missing cars.

FOX 9 has learned the sudden resignation of Omodt was precipitated by FOX 9’s exclusive investigation into the Chairman of the board that supervises the Metro Gang Strike Force, West St. Paul Police Chief Bud Shaver.

FOX 9 reported Tuesday that Shaver intervened into an investigation concerning his 19-year old daughter who was suspected in a home invasion and dealing methamphetamine, all while driving a white Pontiac registered to Chief Shaver.

Shaver asked Gang Strike Force investigators not to forfeit his car and make it a priority to arrest the boyfriend of Shaver’s daughter. Investigators were also not able to search Chief Shaver’s car for evidence until three days after his daughter’s arrest.

“A multi-jurisdiction task force is only successful with local partnerships, participation and consensus among the partners and we clearly don’t have that,” Campion said. “Developments over the past few weeks make it clear that it wouldn’t be prudent to continue the strike force.”

Campion said DPS resources will remain available for local law enforcement agencies needing assistance in investigations.