Minneapolis Police: Rumors about MPD in Native American Reservation Are False

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) is saying that rumors spreading online about the MPD sending officers to the Standing Rock Native American Reservation in North Dakota are false. Minneapolis police told Patch that the original social media post making the allegations has been taken down.

However, according to the Minneapolis police, the post claimed that Twin Cities law agencies were helping North Dakota law enforcement in a property fight against the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

FOX 4 reported that the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to stop construction on a $3.8 billion oil pipeline known as the Dakota Access Pipeline. More than 220 people have been arrested since protests of the pipeline first began in August.

The Minneapolis police announced on its Facebook page Sunday that the allegations are false:

"There is some inaccurate information going around that MPD is sending officers to Standing Rock, ND. MPD is not sending officers there and doesn't have any plan to. Please help us spread the correct information."

"According to a post on both Twitter and Facebook our agency was seen driving up to North Dakota with another agency. That is simply not true, but it seems to have spread on social media," the MPD added in the comment section.

Among the people sharing similar allegations against local law enforcement is Minneapolis City Council member Alondra Cano.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

Patch will continue to update this story.

Image via toffehoff, Flickr, used under Creative Commons