Minneapolis Settles With Human Rights Department Over Policing

MINNEAPOLIS — Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis Council on Monday approved the terms of a court-enforceable settlement between the city and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to improve policing.

The Human Rights Department launched an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department on June 1, 2020, following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of four officers. The state looked at city police practices going back to 2010.

In April 2022, the department announced it found that the city and police department engaged "in a pattern or practice of race discrimination."

Among the specific findings in the report was that Minneapolis police used covert social media accounts to surveil Black people and Black organizations, unrelated to criminal activity.

In July 2022, the city agreed to work on a court-enforceable settlement with the state to improve Minneapolis policing. The settlement was finalized Friday and can be read here.

"Following the approval of this agreement, the City’s overarching goal will not be limited to compliance or words on a page," said Mayor Jacob Frey in a statement.

"Our overriding goal will be building a better, more just approach to policing and community safety in Minneapolis. Today, we confront our past and move forward with a roadmap for meaningful change in our city."

The settlement enforces new police department policies on the use of force, body cameras, training, and responding to mental health and behavioral crises.

An independent evaluation team will monitor the city's progress in fulfilling the goals of the settlement.

"Minneapolis community members deserve to be treated with humanity," said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.

"This court-enforceable agreement provides the framework for lawful, non-discriminatory policing, reduces unnecessary dangers for officers, and results in better public safety for Minneapolis."