An update on policing in Minneapolis

Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released their report into the practices and conduct of the Minneapolis Police Department. 

This report is the culmination of two years of thorough research, interviews, and input from community members, including JCA members. The MDHR concludes:

"The Minnesota Department of Human Rights finds that the City of Minneapolis (City) and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) engage in a pattern or practice of race discrimination in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

We encourage you to watch the press conference, and read the full report, which shows in vivid detail how MPD has engaged in a culture that allows and condones targeting residents of color, and especially Black residents. 

The actions detailed in the report are horrifying and damning. But, they are not surprising. Many Minneapolis residents have personal experiences with harassment and discrimination.

And for years, community activists, including JCA, have spoken out against MPD's racist policing and violence. We thank MDHR and all the community members who shared their experiences to reveal the scope and scale of the harm MPD has caused.

Following the release of this report, the Department of Human Rights will work to create a consent decree, a court order issued by a judge, that includes independent oversight tasked with regularly reporting to the court to hold the parties accountable to the agreed upon changes.

As part of this process, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights will gather feedback from community members and others on what should be included in a consent decree to address racial discrimination in policing in Minneapolis. We look forward to being part of that process.

In the conclusion of their report, the Department of Human Rights emphasizes that "without fundamental, organizational culture changes, reforming MPD’s policies, procedures, and trainings will be meaningless."

These sort of changes can only happen when we come together to hold our leaders accountable and organize for change. We look forward to eliminating racist policing and building systems that keep our communities safe.