The Justice Department announced a court-enforceable consent decree with the City of Minneapolis and its Police Department (MPD) to address unconstitutional practices violating the First, Fourth, and 14th Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and federal anti-discrimination laws, officials stated.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota, the decree aims to reform excessive force, discriminatory policing, First Amendment violations, and mistreatment of people with behavioral health disabilities.
It requires independent monitoring by the Effective Law Enforcement For All team, which will report on progress publicly.
“This agreement is a vital step toward ensuring lawful, fair, and effective policing in Minneapolis,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland, referencing George Floyd’s tragic death as a catalyst for change.
Key reforms include:
- Preventing excessive force through de-escalation and proportional responses.
- Eliminating racial discrimination and enforcing laws impartially.
- Protecting First Amendment rights.
- Ensuring appropriate responses to behavioral health crises.
- Investigating misconduct fairly and holding officers accountable.
- Engaging with youth in trauma-informed, age-appropriate ways.
- Providing confidential mental health services for officers.
The Justice Department’s 2023 investigation found MPD routinely used excessive force, discriminated against Black and Native American residents, and violated rights during emergency responses and peaceful protests. Persistent training and accountability failures contributed to these issues.
The consent decree follows similar actions nationwide, reflecting the Department’s commitment to police reform under the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.