Minneapolis Police Officer Fired For Using Grindr and Squad Car For Sex

Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Now) -- A Minneapolis police officer has been fired following an internal investigation that revealed multiple violations of department policies, including sexual misconduct while on duty.

Officer Juan Alonzo Jr., who had been with the department since 2022, was discharged by Chief of Police Brian O’Hara on February 22, 2024, according to a letter recently released by the department.

The investigation concluded that he violated four key policies: the department’s Code of Ethics, Confidential Department Records, Vehicle Responsibility, and On-Duty Code of Conduct.

According to the letter, Alonzo used the dating app Grindr to engage in sexual activities with a community member while on duty and in uniform, transported himself using a police squad car for personal purposes, and accessed confidential police records for non-work-related reasons.

Officer Alonzo admitted to engaging in sexual activity on multiple occasions while in uniform. These meetings took place during his shifts and involved the use of a police squad car to travel outside his assigned precinct without a legitimate work-related call.

The woman involved confirmed these incidents, which occurred on September 3 and 26, 2022.

Alonzo also allegedly accessed the Minneapolis Police Information Management System to retrieve private contact information for personal purposes. The investigation found that he contacted a Minneapolis resident using this information, violating departmental protocols on the handling of confidential data.

The investigation revealed that Officer Alonzo used a marked squad car to visit the community member's residence, an area outside his assigned precinct. GPS data corroborated his presence at the location on the specified dates.

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Chief O’Hara emphasized that Alonzo’s actions eroded public trust and violated the department's ethical standards. "It takes countless actions to build a reservoir of trust and only one action to completely drain it," O'Hara stated in the memo. He added that Alonzo’s behavior exposed the department to potential legal liabilities and jeopardized the community’s safety by diverting resources for personal reasons.

While the Community Commission on Police Oversight recommended only two policy violations—related to vehicle responsibility and handling of confidential records—Chief O’Hara determined that the totality of Alonzo’s actions warranted termination.

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The discharge of Officer Alonzo underscores the department’s commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and accountability. "As Chief of Police, I am responsible for providing clear expectations about behavior and conduct in all situations, not just when it is convenient," O’Hara concluded.

This incident comes as the Minneapolis Police Department continues to rebuild its relationship with the community following years of scrutiny and reform efforts.