The Minneapolis City Council has approved a landmark agreement with the federal government to address systemic issues within its police department following George Floyd’s 2020 death. The 171-page agreement, known as a consent decree, mandates reforms in police training and use-of-force policies. Officers are now required to prioritize “the sanctity of human life” and act with professionalism and respect, ensuring that race, gender, or ethnicity do not influence decisions to use force.
This agreement stems from a scathing 2023 Department of Justice report that accused Minneapolis police of racial discrimination, constitutional violations, and excessive force. “George Floyd’s death was not just a tragedy; it was a galvanizing force,” said Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. She emphasized that the consent decree provides a roadmap for change, fostering healing and rebuilding trust.
An independent monitor will oversee the changes, which require court approval. Council President Elliott Payne acknowledged the community’s patience during the city’s long journey toward this moment. “We’re just beginning,” he said. “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.”
Council member Robin Wonsley expressed skepticism about federal commitment under the incoming Trump administration, noting, “It will take local political will to hold the city and the Frey administration accountable.”
The consent decree complements a state agreement approved in 2023, which followed another report highlighting a decade of racial discrimination by Minneapolis police. Police Chief Brian O’Hara, hired for his experience with a similar decree in Newark, emphasized the city’s ambition to lead by example. “We will exceed expectations and make change real for people on the street,” he pledged. Mayor Jacob Frey added, “Show the rest of the country, in fact, the rest of the world, what good constitutional policing looks like.”
This agreement marks Minneapolis as the first U.S. city to operate under both federal and state consent decrees, aiming to create lasting, impactful reform.
Link: NPR
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