Minneapolis City Council approves consent decree with Department of Justice
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minneapolis City Council voted in favor of the proposed consent decree between the Department of Justice and the City of Minneapolis during a closed hearing session on Monday,
Federal consent decree
What we know: Mayor Jacob Frey called for a special closed-door meeting to discuss the federal consent decree with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for proposed police reforms. Minneapolis City Council members voted 12-0 to go into the private session on Monday. The meeting lasted for hours as members went over the details, before ultimately voting in favor of the federal decree, which will need to be filed in federal court.
A federal consent decree would implement more major reforms within the police department, and advocates are hoping to pass it before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. The Trump administration has been vocal about its opposition to similar reforms in the past, saying they are part of a "war on police."
What they're saying: "I want to be clear that I have no faith that the Trump administration will be a serious partner in supporting the implementation of the consent decree. Having a federal consent decree signed and in place is valuable to police reform efforts, but 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," said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a written statement.
"Our commitment to securing a federal consent decree has never wavered – it has been a top priority of my administration, and we are ready to act," said Frey. "This agreement reflects what our community has asked for and what we know is necessary: real accountability and meaningful change. I’m grateful to the Department of Justice for their partnership and urgency in helping us finalize this decree, ensuring we didn’t lose this critical opportunity to advance reforms and build on the important work already underway."
DOJ, MPD, Mayor Frey on consent decree [RAW]
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara provided comments on the consent decree that was passed by the Minneapolis City Council Monday.
"Since becoming chief in 2022, my mission has been clear: reduce serious crime while earning community trust and rebuilding pride in the Minneapolis Police Department," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. "The federal consent decree supports that mission by providing additional structure to enhance the quality of service we provide. Together, with the dedicated members of the Minneapolis Police Department, I am confident we will set the standard for policing in America."
Digging deeper: The consent decree will have the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) instituting both a Force Investigation Team to review use of force in the department, and a Force Review Board.
MPD will also be implementing strategies to help further collaboration between police and community members. The department will also receive additional training on behavorial health responses.
The department will adopt policies related to the First Amendment, to help community members and journalists to exercise their First Amendment rights while also maintaining public safety.
See the full consent decree below.
Mpls community leaders on federal consent decree
Minneapolis City Council members are in a closed-door session on Monday to hear details of a proposed federal consent decree. While council members were in the meeting, community members voiced their hopes and frustrations about the federal consent decree, its process, and what it could mean for reforming policing.
The backstory: This agreement comes after a two-year investigation following the murder of George Floyd. The DOJ found a pattern or practice of civil rights violations within the MPD. Some of its findings include the use of excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, unlawful discrimination against Black and Native American people and discrimination against people with behavioral health disabilities.
The Minneapolis Police Federation issued a statement in response to the DOJ’s report, saying, in part, "the issues identified in this report can be shouldered by police officers alone. It will require the elected officials to provide the support and resources to do the work."
MPD also entered into a consent decree with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in March. That agreement requires the city, and MDP in part, for officers to try and de-escalate situations and ban officers from using force to punish or retaliate.