Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding police reform and accountability since the death of George Floyd in May 2020. After months of protests and calls for change, city officials have now approved a plan to overhaul policing practices in the city.
The plan, which was approved by the Minneapolis City Council on February 12th, 2021, includes a range of measures aimed at reducing police violence and increasing accountability. One of the key components of the plan is the creation of a new Department of Public Safety that will be responsible for overseeing public safety in the city. This new department will include a division focused on law enforcement, but it will also incorporate other public safety functions such as emergency response and violence prevention.
Another major aspect of the plan is the implementation of a new use-of-force policy that emphasizes de-escalation and requires officers to intervene if they witness excessive force being used by their colleagues. The plan also includes measures to improve officer training and to increase transparency and accountability in cases of police misconduct.
Perhaps most notably, the plan includes a provision that would allow for the creation of a new civilian-led department to handle certain non-violent calls currently handled by police officers. This new department would be staffed by trained civilians who would respond to calls related to issues such as mental health crises, homelessness, and substance abuse.
The plan has been met with both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that it represents a significant step forward in the fight for police reform and that it has the potential to improve public safety while also addressing longstanding issues of police violence and racism. Critics, however, argue that the plan goes too far in its efforts to reduce police presence in certain situations and that it could put public safety at risk.
Despite these concerns, the approval of this plan represents a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for police reform in Minneapolis and beyond. It is clear that there is still much work to be done to address issues of police violence and systemic racism in law enforcement, but this plan represents a promising step in the right direction. As Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated after the plan was approved, “This is about creating a comprehensive public safety approach that is centered in community trust, accountability, and transparency.”
