By: Nick Wicker
Among the certificates, diplomas, photos and licenses lining the walls of University of Minnesota police Chief Greg Hestness’ office, one frame stands out. Behind its glass pane is a Native American crafted headband beaded with the word “token.”
The name is what his Native American colleagues called him when he worked for the Minneapolis Police Department as the only white man in his patrol unit.
But Hestness’ nearly 40 years in law enforcement have shown he is far from a token officer, colleague or chief.