Minneapolis voters to decide agency to replace police department

Voters in Minneapolis are about to decide whether to replace the police department with a new agency.

The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to allow voters to determine whether to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a Public Safety Department, according to the council’s advice. website.

Voters will take action in the municipal general election on November 2.

The proposal comes after Minneapolis became the center of attention amid the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, an incident that sparked outrage and unrest nationwide.

Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes during an arrest despite pleading that he couldn’t breathe. The incident resulted in the death of Floyd. The former police officer was convicted of second and third degree murder, as well as second degree manslaughter. Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison last month.

Under the proposal, the Department of Public Safety would use a “holistic approach to public health, and which would include licensed peace officers (police officers) as necessary, to fulfill its responsibilities for public health. public security ”, according to approved language.

The department would be headed by a public security commissioner, as opposed to the mayor having full control over the department.

The measure was originally proposed by Yes 4 Minneapolis, which is described on its website as a “unifying campaign bringing together voters, religious leaders, unions, businesses and more because we have the opportunity to create a system that works for all of us”.

The measure was submitted to the mayor Jacob FreyJacob FreyMinnesota officials push for targeted subsidies for small businesses The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Texas Dems flee to Washington The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Goldman Sachs – Biden backs Cuban protesters, attacks the “authoritarian regime” MORE (D) who had days to approve the measure, according to Fox 9. If he approves it or decides not to sign it, the language is submitted to be entered on the ballot before August 20.

If Frey were to veto the measure, city council would need a two-thirds majority to override the veto, according to CNN.

Frey’s office told CNN that he “will not sign the measure, but that he appreciates the meticulous work and in-depth analysis carried out by City staff to prepare fair and precise language for voters to consider this fall.”

Frey’s office further told CNN, “Mayor Frey maintains that giving Minneapolis City Council control over public safety work would mark a major setback for accountability and good governance.”