Minneapolis Charter Group Deals Blow To 'Defund Police' Movement

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis Charter Commission dealt a blow Wednesday to the movement to defund the Minneapolis Police Department. The group voted 8-6 to reject a ballot referendum asking voters if they want to remove the charter's requirement to fund a city police department.

The proposal would have struck the following language from the Minneapolis city charter:

(c) Funding.

The City Council must fund a police force of at least 0.0017
employees per resident, and provide for those employees’ compensation,
for which purpose it may tax the taxable property in the City up to 0.3
percent of its value annually. This tax is in addition to any other tax, and
not subject to the maximum set under section 9.3(a)(4)

For now, that language is staying in the charter.

Some on the charter commission voiced concerns about defunding police as parts of the city see an uptick in violent crime, reports Minnesota Public Radio. "They are intent on defunding the police," Commissioner Matt Perry said of the City Council. "So I think having the provision in the charter to have a minimum number of officers and employees in the department is a wise one at this time."

Others on the commission questioned if it was the charter commission's place to approve or reject large public policy measures put forward by the City Council.

Activists who support defunding and dismantling the police denounced the commission's move Wednesday.

"This week, as we watch an unelected body of commissioners try to rein in the power of our movement, we won’t forget that our visions and blueprints for a Minneapolis without MPD come from all of us," groups Black Visions and Reclaim the Block said in a joint statement.

"They were not created by politicians, and no matter what city officials decide, we will keep building a city where everyone feels safe from all violence — including police terror."

Next steps

On Aug. 5, the charter commission will meet again to vote on an even bigger proposal, one that could lead to the dismantling of the city's police department altogether.

In June, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously advanced a measure that would amend the city charter to completely remove the requirement for a police department, not just its funding.

"If the commission approves the amendment, as long as there are no surprise blocks from the city council, it will go on the ballot," wrote Black Visions and Reclaim the Block.

"If the commission doesn't approve the amendment, we still have one more chance — if the city council votes for it again, and if they keep a veto-proof majority that the Mayor can’t undermine. We’ll know what we’ll see on the ballot on August 14."

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, they want to amend the charter to 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.

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 the City Council's proposed amendment to the city charter below:

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.

Watch Minneapolis City Council or committee meetings on Comcast Channel 14 or 799, CenturyLink Channel 8001 or 8501, or stream live on City Council TV.