Minneapolis Overhauls Policing Policies After George Floyd Case

6 Jan at 10:34 pm

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Minneapolis Overhauls Policing Policies After George Floyd Case \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a consent decree with the federal government to reform police practices following George Floyd’s murder. The 171-page agreement mandates professionalism, respect for human dignity, and unbiased use of force, with long-term federal court supervision. Officials and community leaders view the decree as a step toward accountability and healing.

Minneapolis Police Reform: Updated Story and Quick Looks

Unanimous Approval: The Minneapolis City Council voted 12-0 to adopt the consent decree.
Federal Oversight: The agreement places the police department under long-term court supervision.
Key Mandates: Officers must prioritize human life, professionalism, and avoid bias in decisions to use force.
Historical Context: The reform follows George Floyd’s murder in 2020 and a scathing DOJ report.
Independent Monitoring: Changes will be overseen by an independent monitor and require judicial approval.
Challenges Ahead: Officials face skepticism about enforcement under the Trump administration.

Deep Look: Minneapolis Approves Historic Consent Decree for Police Reform

In a landmark decision aimed at addressing systemic issues within its police force, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve a federal consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ). This binding agreement places the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) under long-term court supervision, requiring sweeping reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the national reckoning it sparked on police brutality and racial injustice.

The council’s 12-0 vote signals a city-wide commitment to transforming its law enforcement practices, a process officials and community leaders acknowledge will be lengthy, challenging, and costly. The consent decree builds on changes already implemented by the MPD and sets a new standard for constitutional policing in a city that has become synonymous with the fight for justice and accountability in law enforcement.

Core Provisions of the Consent Decree

The 171-page agreement, filed in federal court immediately after the council’s vote, outlines comprehensive changes to police operations. Among its mandates, the decree requires MPD officers to:

Prioritize the sanctity of human life as the highest principle guiding their actions.
Treat all individuals with professionalism and respect, ensuring dignity for everyone they serve.
Avoid bias in the use of force, explicitly prohibiting race, gender, or ethnicity from influencing decisions on the type or amount of force used.

The consent decree also codifies reforms introduced since Floyd’s death, such as restricting chokeholds, mandating de-escalation techniques, and enhancing accountability mechanisms. By making these policies legally enforceable, the decree ensures they cannot be reversed without court approval.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division called the agreement a “roadmap for reform,” designed to rebuild public trust and heal a community still grappling with the trauma of Floyd’s murder. “All eyes remain on Minneapolis,” she said, emphasizing that this consent decree represents a critical step forward.

The Roots of Reform: DOJ and State Investigations

The consent decree follows a scathing DOJ report issued in June 2023, the result of a two-year investigation into MPD practices. The report accused the department of:

Systematic racial discrimination against communities of color.
Violating constitutional rights, including those of people engaged in lawful protests.
Using excessive force, including unjustified deadly force.
Neglecting the safety and rights of individuals in custody.

This investigation confirmed what many community members had long alleged, reinforcing findings from a separate 2022 report by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The state’s investigation revealed a decade-long pattern of racial bias within the MPD, leading to a similar consent decree approved by a state court in 2023.

Minneapolis now becomes the first U.S. city to operate under both federal and state consent decrees, a distinction that underscores the depth of the systemic problems it seeks to address.

Oversight and Enforcement

An independent monitor will oversee the implementation of the consent decree, ensuring compliance with its terms. The agreement also requires judicial approval before enforcement begins. Officials hope for swift approval, as delays could complicate enforcement under the incoming Trump administration, which has historically been critical of consent decrees.

Consent decrees are long-term commitments, often requiring years or even decades to fulfill. Chief Brian O’Hara, who was hired in 2022 for his experience implementing a consent decree in Newark, New Jersey, expressed optimism about the process. “We are not going to just comply with its terms, but we will exceed expectations and make change real for people on the street,” O’Hara said.

Mayor Jacob Frey echoed this sentiment, urging MPD officers to rise to the occasion. “Show the rest of the country, in fact, the rest of the world, what good constitutional policing looks like,” Frey said.

Federal Reform Efforts and Political Challenges

The Minneapolis consent decree joins a growing list of federal agreements aimed at reforming law enforcement agencies accused of unconstitutional practices. Since April 2021, the DOJ has launched 12 similar investigations into state and local police departments, many prompted by high-profile incidents of police violence.

Notable agreements include:

Seattle, Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, and Ferguson, Missouri.
Louisville, Kentucky, following the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor.
Pending discussions in Memphis, Tennessee, after the beating death of Tyre Nichols.

Kristen Clarke emphasized that three decades of experience show that consent decrees yield tangible progress in policing. However, political challenges loom, particularly with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20.

During his first administration, Trump criticized consent decrees as anti-police and sought to limit their use. Council member Robin Wonsley expressed doubts about the incoming administration’s willingness to enforce the Minneapolis agreement, emphasizing the need for local accountability.

“We need to be sober about the fact that it will take local political will to hold the city and the Frey administration accountable to implementing and enforcing the terms of the consent decree,” Wonsley said.

Community Response and the Road Ahead

While the consent decree represents a significant step toward reform, officials and community leaders acknowledge that true change will require sustained effort. Council President Elliott Payne called on the community to remain united, saying, “We’re just beginning, and we know we have a long way to go.”

The process will be resource-intensive, with experts estimating the city will spend millions of dollars to implement the required changes. Despite these challenges, many see the consent decree as a necessary investment in rebuilding trust and ensuring justice.

Chief O’Hara and Mayor Frey have pledged to exceed expectations and make Minneapolis a national model for constitutional policing. “Together, we will make Minneapolis a place where everyone feels safer, and they know that Minneapolis cops will have their back,” O’Hara said.

The National Significance of Minneapolis’ Reform

Minneapolis remains at the forefront of the national conversation on police reform. The city’s efforts will serve as a test case for whether meaningful change can be achieved through federally mandated oversight.

The consent decree represents both an acknowledgment of past failures and a commitment to a more equitable future. As Payne noted, “Our success will only be realized when we all work together on what is arguably one of the most important issues in the life of our city.”