Judge Throws Out Ballot Proposal On Minneapolis Police Department

MINNEAPOLIS — A Hennepin County judge Tuesday threw out a Nov. 2 ballot proposal related to the existence of the Minneapolis Police Department. Judge Jamie Anderson ruled that the proposal, as written, was "unreasonable and misleading."

"The Court finds that the Current Ballot Language is vague, ambiguous and incapable of implementation and is insufficient to identify the amendment clearly," Judge Anderson wrote.

Here's how the ballot proposal was written:

Department of Public Safety

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to strike and replace the Police Department with a Department of Public Safety which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, with administrative authority to be consistent with other city departments to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety?

The City Council had to override a veto from Mayor Jacob Frey to get the ballot question approved last month. Frey criticized the council for approving language that "failed to meet the most basic standards of transparency."

The City Council will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday to draft language for a new proposal on the same issue, KARE 11 reports.

Also read: Omar, Ellison Back Ballot Proposal That Would Dismantle MPD