Minneapolis agrees to federal oversight in police reform fight

In June 2023, the United States Department of Justice completed its investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), revealing numerous findings of misconduct, including the use of excessive force and discrimination against Black and Native American individuals. These alarming revelations stemmed from a decades-long call for police reform, highlighted by the infamous police murder of George Floyd in 2020. Following the DOJ's report, the city of Minneapolis advanced discussions on a consent decree to implement extensive reforms designed to enhance accountability and ensure protection of civil rights within policing practices. Reverend Ian Bethel of the Unity in Community Mediation Team played a pivotal role in advocating for police reform, highlighting the community's discontent with the status quo. Bethel's organization was actively involved in contacting the DOJ in the aftermath of Floyd's death, emphasizing the community's desire for substantial change. This grassroots involvement positioned Bethel and his team as integral to the ongoing discussions regarding the future of policing in Minneapolis. As proposed agreements began to take shape, Minneapolis City Council members prepared for crucial meetings to review the potential consent decree and its implications for the police department. These negotiations came at a critical time as the city faced pressure not only from the community but also from political spheres, as President-elect Donald Trump expressed opposition to court-enforceable reforms, framing them as a war on police. City Attorney Kristyn Anderson underscored the ongoing commitment of city officials to drive this reform forward, stating they had not wavered in their efforts to enact meaningful change. The landscape for the MPD is dynamic as it may soon operate under both a federal and a state-mandated consent decree. Already, the city has entered into a four-year oversight agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to monitor police practices and ensure compliance with anti-discrimination measures. As of early 2025, a total of $27 million in funding has been allocated for the implementation of these significant reforms, signaling a serious commitment to rectifying the systemic issues identified in the DOJ's findings. The collective weight of federal oversight combined with state sanctions makes Minneapolis potentially the first city in the United States to have both levels of consent decrees governing its police practices.