Civil Rights Charge Filed Against Minneapolis Police Department

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will begin an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department after filing a civil rights charge on Tuesday related to the death of George Floyd.

The investigation into policies, procedures, and practices over the past 10 years will determine if the department has engaged in systemic racism. Officials will also work to end such practices.

Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero will lead the investigation.

"Minnesota has one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country," Gov. Tim Walz said at a news conference Tuesday.

"It is illegal for a police department to discriminate against someone because of their race. This important action against an entire police department will allow the Department of Human Rights to take swift action in response to any determination of civil rights violations."

The Department of Human Rights will seek agreement from city leadership and the MPD to immediately implement interim measures in advance of long-term measures to address systemic discriminatory practices.

"Silence is complicity," Walz added. "Minnesotans can expect our administration to use every tool at our disposal to deconstruct generations of systemic racism in our state."

"As we move forward, we ask the community to watch what we do, not what we say. It is going to take action at all levels from the neighborhood on up, to get the change we need to see. This effort is only one of many steps to come in our effort to restore trust with those in the community who have been unseen and unheard for far too long."

"George Floyd should be alive. He deserved to live a life full of dignity and joy," said MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. "Community leaders have been asking for structural change for decades. They have fought for this and it is essential that we acknowledge the work and commitment of those who have paved the path to make today’s announcement possible."