The Minneapolis City Council has approved an agreement with the federal government aimed at implementing reforms within the city's police department following the murder of George Floyd. The agreement, which is set to be filed in federal court, will require long-term court supervision to ensure compliance.
The agreement, known as a consent decree, comes in response to a scathing critique issued by the Department of Justice in June 2023. The report highlighted systemic discrimination against racial minorities, constitutional rights violations, and disregard for the safety of individuals in custody by the Minneapolis police department.
An independent monitor will oversee the implementation of the reforms, which will need approval from a judge. The agreement is expected to build upon changes already made by the police department in policies related to the use of force and officer training following Floyd's death in 2020.
President-elect Donald Trump's previous criticism of consent decrees as anti-police adds a layer of significance to finalizing the agreement before his potential return to office. The council's unanimous approval of the deal underscores the community's commitment to addressing police brutality and racism.
Similar agreements have been reached with other cities like Seattle, New Orleans, and Baltimore, as part of the Justice Department's efforts to address issues of excessive force and civil rights violations within law enforcement agencies.
If the Minneapolis agreement receives court approval, the city will operate under both federal and state consent decrees, signaling a significant step towards comprehensive police reform.
