MINNEAPOLIS — On Monday, the Minneapolis City Council approved an agreement with the federal government to reform the city’s police training and use-of-force policies. This agreement follows the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, which sparked nationwide discussions about police practices.
The 171-page agreement, filed in federal court after the council voted 12-0 to approve it, requires the police department to prioritize human life and treat all people with dignity and respect. The agreement also mandates that race, gender, or ethnicity should not influence decisions about the use of force. This consent decree will place the department under long-term court oversight.
The Department of Justice’s investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), published in June 2023, found patterns of racial discrimination, excessive force, and violations of constitutional rights, particularly before George Floyd’s death. The investigation confirmed widespread complaints from the public about police behavior, including unjustified deadly force.
The agreement, which will be monitored by an independent supervisor, aims to improve trust between law enforcement and the community. A judge must approve the agreement, and officials hope this happens soon. However, some are concerned that the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump may challenge or slow down the process.
The council’s approval came after a long private discussion. Council President Elliott Payne thanked the community for their patience and cooperation. Council member Robin Wonsley emphasized that local political leadership will be crucial to enforcing the terms of the agreement.
In addition to this federal agreement, the city is also under a state-level consent decree, approved in 2023, which also addresses racial discrimination in policing. The Justice Department has reached similar agreements in other cities, including Seattle, New Orleans, and Baltimore, in response to police misconduct.
The police chief, Brian O’Hara, who has experience with consent decrees from his time in Newark, New Jersey, said that Minneapolis is the first city to operate under both federal and state consent decrees. He expressed confidence that the reforms will lead to significant improvements in policing.
Mayor Jacob Frey also expressed confidence in the department’s ability to meet the new standards, emphasizing the responsibility of police officers to lead by example.