Minneapolis Council Takes First Steps To Dismantle Police Dept.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Members of the Minneapolis City Council Friday will took the first steps in dismantling the city's police department. By a vote of 12-0, the council advanced a measure that would amend the city charter to remove the requirement for a police department.

Following the death of George Floyd, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council members pledged to end the Minneapolis Police Department.

Instead of a police department, the amended charter would require that the city maintain "a department of community safety and violence prevention."

"The City Council must establish, maintain, adequately fund, and consistently engage the public about a department of community safety and violence prevention, which will have responsibility for public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach," the proposed charter reads.

The director of the new public safety department would be required to have non-law enforcement experience in fields such as public health and restorative justice.

The amendment would also remove the need for a "fire police" in the city.

The proposal has been referred to the Minneapolis Charter Commission for its July 8 meeting and the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight Committee for its July 9 meeting.

Voters would have to approve the changes on Election Day in order for the charter to be amended. If approved by voters, the changes would become effective May 1, 2021.

Ellison, Cano, Gordon, Fletcher, and Bender then will host a news conference at 1 p.m. to discuss their proposal.

Read their proposal below: