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Minneapolis City Council to Discuss Potential Settlement in Lawsuit Over Police Practices

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Minneapolis City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss a potential settlement in a lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights over the city's policing practices following the murder of George Floyd. The lawsuit was filed in 2020, and a state report issued in April 2022 detailed evidence of disparities in how officers use force against people of color, particularly Black people. The city and state have been negotiating a consent decree to address the issues raised in the report. The city is also awaiting the results of a federal investigation into whether the police department has engaged in a "pattern or practice" of unconstitutional or unlawful policing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Minnesota Department of Human Rights sued the city and police department in June 2020 over allegations of systemic and institutional racism within the police department.
  • The state report, issued in April 2022, detailed evidence of disparities in how officers use force against people of color, particularly Black people.
  • The city and state agreed to negotiate a consent decree to address the issues raised in the report.
  • The federal investigation into whether the police department has engaged in a "pattern or practice" of unconstitutional or unlawful policing is ongoing.
  • The city has implemented immediate changes, including a ban on the use of chokeholds and neck restraints, and a requirement that officers try to stop other officers they see using improper force.
  • The city and state are working on a court-enforceable agreement to resolve any conflicting provisions between the state and federal investigations.
  • The killing of George Floyd sparked months of mass protests across the country and around the world as part of a broader reckoning over racial injustice.

Statistics:

  • 9 1/2 minutes: The amount of time former officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck before he went limp.
  • 22 1/2 years: The time Chauvin is serving on his state murder conviction.
  • 21 years: The time Chauvin was sentenced to on a separate federal charge of violating Floyd's civil rights.
  • 2020: The year the Department of Human Rights sued the city and police department.
  • April 2022: The month and year the state report was issued detailing evidence of disparities in policing practices.
  • 2-year investigation: The length of the investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights that led to the state report.
  • 2020: The year Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's killing.

Sources:

  • [1] Steve Karnowski, "Minneapolis City Council to discuss potential settlement in George Floyd suit", Associated Press
  • [2] "State Human Rights Investigation", Minnesota Department of Human Rights
  • [3] "City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota Reach Agreement on Consent Decree", City of Minneapolis

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