Minneapolis police making progress in MDHR settlement compliance
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis leaders say there's been progress in reforming the Minneapolis Police Department and community safety efforts under the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) settlement agreement.
Progress in compliance of settlement agreement
Big picture view:
At a press conference on Monday, Minneapolis leaders highlighted the "significant progress" the MPD has made in compliance with the MDHR settlement agreement, as detailed in the first semi-annual progress report from Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA), the independent monitor that oversees the police department's compliance.
The report, covering March 18 to Sept. 30, 2024, reviews the initial phase of the compliance, and highlights key advancements made in policy revisions, trainings, misconduct complaint backlogs, and plans for equipment, technology, facilities, and data systems, according to a press release.
Officials say the report reflects the effort made by MPD and city during and before the evaluation period, including revising policies, writing new policies, focusing on training and use of force reporting, addressing the backlog of police misconduct, investigations and internal affairs, addressing officer's support and wellness, looking at accountability and oversight, and improving data systems.
However, the police department is still struggling to clear the use-of-force investigations. As of Sept. 30, the Force Investigation Team has a backlog of 1,100 use-of-force cases and "lacks sufficient staffing to complete some major tasks the agreement requires," the report reads. The MPD Internal Affairs Division also has a backlog of misconduct cases, but the report states the MPD is in the process of hiring a vendor to address these issues.
What they're saying:
"It’s important for our residents, our visitors and business owners to know that the city is on track to reforming our police department and reimagining community safety in Minneapolis," said Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette. "This is the beginning of a long journey that will take time, but the city is fully on board and working diligently towards sustainable reform beyond compliance with the settlement agreement. Change requires patience and shared commitment to accountability and transparency."
You can find ELEFA's full report below.
Details on the settlement agreement
Minnesota Human Rights Department findings on the city of Minneapolis and its police department
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero presents the department's findings, released on Wednesday, April 27. The MDHR found the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of race discrimination, violating state civil rights law.
The backstory:
In March 2023, the Minneapolis City Council approved the City of Minneapolis' court-enforceable settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The settlement outlines the policy, budget and training requirements the city and MPD will undertake, according to a previous news release.
The city said the agreement "lays out a roadmap for achieving non-discriminatory policing and to better support community safety."
Key elements of the settlement agreement involved the following areas:
- Accountability, oversight and transparency
- Use of force
- Stops, searches and seizures
- Officer wellness
- Training
- Community engagement
The settlement agreement has a four-year term and may then be reviewed on an annual basis until the City of Minneapolis is compliant.