Public Can Comment On Plans To Dismantle Minneapolis Police Dept.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minneapolis City Council Friday 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.

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

Members of the public interested in commenting on the proposed charter amendment can now submit comments online.

The Minneapolis Charter Commission will hold a special meeting 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 to review the proposed amendment and discuss next steps. The City Council voted June 26 to advance the proposal as a ballot measure to be considered by Minneapolis voters.

Under state law, the Charter Commission has at least 60 days to complete its review and submit its recommendation to the City Council. The statutory deadline for submitting questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot is Friday, Aug. 21.

If approved by voters, the changes would become effective May 1, 2021, according to a news release.

The city charter is the constitution of the city of Minneapolis. Legally, it is a delegation of a portion of the state’s central governing authority exercised at the local level.