Gov. Walz Calls On State Republicans To Pass Police Reform Bill

MINNESOTA — Gov. Tim Walz Thursday called on members of the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate to pass the package of police reforms that was recently approved by the Minnesota House.

"The accountability we saw last week for George Floyd is the floor – not the ceiling – of what we need to do in Minnesota to advance police reform," the governor said in a statement.

"I applaud the effort in the Minnesota House to advance meaningful legislation that would make Minnesota a leader in effective and fair law enforcement policies, practices, and behaviors. I urge the Republicans in the Minnesota Senate to listen to Minnesotans and take action."

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The House bill includes the following law enforcement reforms:

• Restricting the use of no-knock warrants
• Banning traffic enforcement stops violations for "secondary offenses"
• Allowing local governments to create civilian oversight councils for local law enforcement departments
• Reforming Minnesota's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board
• Improving police response to incidents involving a mental health crisis
• Funding for community organizations

"Right now we have a window of time, while the world is watching, to be the leaders that our communities of color need us to be," said Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent.

"We have just over two weeks to pass meaningful public safety reform. We’ve seen how fast the Senate majority can act when they choose to. Just this week, we passed almost $8 million – very quickly – to fund public safety after the Chauvin trial. We need to act with that same urgency to pass police reform, and I urge my Senate Republican colleagues to prioritize this work now."

Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazleka will discuss the bill after floor debate Thursday, a spokesperson told Patch.

Read the full House bill here.