Police Accountability
As a city, we have witnessed the Minneapolis Police Department violate civil rights and human rights. We’ve experienced the murder of our community members at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve us.
For too long, we have seen the Minneapolis Police Department use excessive force, unlawfully discriminate against Black and Indigenous community members, violate the rights of people engaged in protected speech, and discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to calls for assistance.
It’s clear that our government is not doing enough to address the culture within the department. It’s important to be honest when the system we currently are pouring millions of tax dollars into is unaccountable and makes parts of our community feel very unsafe.
I am committed to using my office to hold the Minneapolis Police Department accountable and having strong oversight over the Mayor's Administration to ensure they are complying with our State and Federal Consent Decrees.
What We Did:
Lake and Minnehaha: Authored a council action to ensure the City of Minneapolis never rebuilds a police precinct or police functions at the former Lake and Minnehaha 3rd Precinct location.
Truth and Reconciliation: Authored a Legislative Directive, Budget Earmark, and Budget Amendment to ensure the enterprise begins a work plan and Truth and Reconciliation process. This included an earmark of $265,00 for 2023 and added an additional $550,000 for 2024.
Community Commission on Police Oversight Ordinance: Authored six amendments to improve our police accountability measures.
Composition: Guaranteed that Ward 9 would have representation on the commission.
Equitable and Non-Discriminatory Policing: Ensured that members of the commission shall demonstrate commitment to equitable and non-discriminatory policing.
FBI Background Check Change: Passed an amendment to remove the required discriminatory background check which would have an impact on participation.
Performance Evaluation: Created an evaluation method of the Chief of Police.
Residency Requirement: Clarified that the Commissioners must live in Minneapolis.
Calling a Meeting to Order: Authored an amendment to ensure that if the Chair is unable to call a meeting to order, there is still a process for a meeting to occur.
Implementation of the Consent Decree: Invested approximately $16,000,000 for the implementation of the federal consent decree, funding a team of 34 dedicated positions in MPD, Civil Rights, and Information Technology.
Minneapolis Police Officers Federation Contract: Voted against the first ever police union contract considered since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis because it had little to no consideration for reform and discipline. In addition, it required that officers be informed of the identity of anyone making public records requests about them. We need a strong contract, not one-off agreement letters that weaken our leverage.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Court Enforceable Agreement: Approved a Consent Decree with MDHR to ensure the MPD is held accountable by the Court and allow for an Independent Evaluator to monitor its progress. The investigation found a "pattern or practice of race discrimination" which violated the state’s laws on civil rights.
Minneapolis Police Department Budget: MPD has consistently been unable to use its total budget. We redirected policing dollars to community safety initiatives, immigration services, and an improved data request process for police misconduct.
MPD Compensation Claims: The City of Minneapolis continues to pay millions of taxpayer dollars in compensation claims filed by officers since the murder of George Floyd by MPD. Minneapolis residents cover the costs of these lawsuits through taxes and fees. I have consistently voted against these and believe that we need rein in on the police department saving taxpayer dollars.
Systemic Justice Legislative Agenda: Amended the City’s Legislative Agenda to support requiring the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to modify the peace officer code of conduct to prohibit peace officers from affiliating with, supporting, or advocating for white supremacist groups, causes, or ideologies.
Data Practices Legislative Agenda: Amended the City’s Legislative Agenda to support the release of body camera footage and to define the process for when and how that data may be released.
Looking Ahead:
Reduce the power of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis: Take on transparent strategic contract negotiations and refuse to support contracts without any accountability.
Holding the Minneapolis Police Department Accountable.
Work with the State Legislature to end the statute of limitations for those who were wrongfully killed by the police, put an end to qualified immunity for Minneapolis Police Officers, and strengthen civilian oversight over the department.
End the militarization of Black, Brown, and Indigenous neighborhoods by ending broken windows policing tactics.
Redirect unused public safety and policing resources into violence prevention, housing, opioid crisis, youth intervention, and employment for those who were formerly incarcerated. Safety does not start or end with the police.
Public Access to Data Regarding:
Disparities regarding stops and arrests when it comes to Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ neighbors, and people with disabilities.
Military equipment and weapons owned by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Officer disciplinary records.
Implementation of Minnesota Department of Human Rights Court Enforceable Agreement: Oversee the consent decree with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, to ensure the administration is not violating our agreement with the court.