The Minneapolis City Council confirmed a new fire chief Thursday despite some council members’ serious concerns and the fact that he didn’t show up for the vote.

After a national search to replace retired Chief Bryan Tyner, Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Reginald “Reggie” Freeman in May. The council voted 10-2 to approve Freeman as fire chief for a term ending in January 2030.

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Some council members had concerns about a lawsuit alleging harassment and discrimination at his former job leading the Hartford Fire Department in Connecticut.

Two female firefighters alleged in a 2022 lawsuit that the department had a history of sexual and racial harassment and discrimination. Freeman wasn’t named as a defendant in the lawsuit but was mentioned in it, as it covered a time period when he was the chief from 2016-2021.

During his July 22 confirmation hearing, Freeman said the lawsuit didn’t involve him. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw said Thursday she was concerned that the alleged harassment and discrimination occurred while Freeman was the fire chief. She hesitatingly voted “yes” to confirm him, but said she’ll be watching closely, asking hard questions and making sure he follows through on his commitments.

Other council members expressed consternation that Freeman did not attend Thursday’s council meeting where they discussed and then voted on his confirmation.

Freeman previously led the fire department in Oakland, Calif. and currently works as executive director of a $2.2 billion fire and emergency management agency in Saudi Arabia.

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