Charter Commission Will Review Proposal To Dismantle MPD

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis Charter Commission will host a public hearing Wednesday for a proposal that would dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. Late last month, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously advanced a measure that would amend the city charter to remove the requirement for a police department.

The city charter serves as the city's constitution, and the charter commission serves as a constitutional convention. It's a state agency that is made up of 15 members appointed by the district court.

According to the Star Tribune, the charter commission must give a recommendation to approve or reject the proposal, otherwise offer an alternative.

The commission's public hearing on the amendment will begin at 5 p.m.

Watch the public meeting on:

• Comcast Channel 14 or 799
• CenturyLink Channel 8001 or 8501
• City Council TV
• City's YouTube channel

Movement to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department

Following the death of George Floyd, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council members pledged to end the Minneapolis Police Department.

Instead of a police department, the amended charter would require that the city maintain "a department of community safety and violence prevention."

"The City Council must establish, maintain, adequately fund, and consistently engage the public about a department of community safety and violence prevention, which will have responsibility for public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach," the proposed charter reads.

The director of the new public safety department would be required to have non-law enforcement experience in fields such as public health and restorative justice.

The amendment would also remove the need for a "fire police" in the city.

The proposal has been referred to the Minneapolis Charter Commission for its July 8 meeting and the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight Committee for its July 9 meeting.

Voters would have to approve the changes on Election Day in order for the charter to be amended. If approved by voters, the changes would become effective May 1, 2021.

Read city council's proposed amendment to the city charter below: