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Minneapolis officials see progress in police reform efforts stemming from settlement agreement

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MINNEAPOLIS — City leaders on Monday provided an update about the progress made in the Minneapolis Police Department's efforts to comply with a Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement.

The Minneapolis City Council approved a court-enforceable settlement agreement in March of 2023, after the state human rights department issued a scathing report that said the police department had engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination for at least a decade. 

The police department's settlement agreement is the first of its kind in Minnesota, according to city attorney Kristyn Anderson. It has major themes including revising protocols on use-of-force and de-escalation practices. 

Effective Law Enforcement for All is the independent monitor overseeing compliance with the MDHR settlement. The police department entered into a contract with the organization in March 2024, and they are expected to provide a progress report every six months, Anderson says. Monday's update centered on the first six-month review period, which lasted from March 18, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024.

Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette highlighted the progress made in policy revisions, trainings and misconduct complaint backlogs. 

According to the independent monitor's report, the police department expects to meet most policy revision deadlines by March, and has submitted policies for use-of-force, engaging with minors and crisis intervention for formal approval. The independent monitor expects police to make policies about non-discriminatory policing and crisis intervention, among others, available for public comment by March.

Though Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara expressed reservations that the use-of-force backlog — which had over 1,100 cases as of September — would be worked through by a March deadline, officials said they'd gone through a hiring blitz to help move through complaints more quickly.

"This is the beginning of a long journey that will take time, but the city is fully on board and working diligently towards sustainable reform beyond compliance with this settlement agreement," said Barnette.

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