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Group overseeing MPLS consent decree to host community sessions
Two sessions will be held this week to allow residents to ask questions about a 4-year police and city reform plan released in September.
MINNEAPOLIS — In March last year, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached a court-enforceable agreement to reform city and police conduct after investigators found both entities engaged in practices violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Effective Law Enforcement For All was selected to oversee the consent decree as an independent body in February this year, and in September released a nearly 90-page, 4-year plan on police cameras, trainings, how reports are taken and other policy changes.
ELEFA president David Douglass says the nonprofit organization will host two sessions this week to bring community up to speed on the plan. The first is set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Sabathani Community Center.
The second session will be held 6 p.m. Thursday at North Community High School.
“We also want to explain how we do what we do … and how to engage the Minneapolis community in this process because that was central to the agreement,” Douglass told KARE 11 ahead of the meeting. “Perhaps most important, our goal is to promote understanding so we want to hear back and have plenty of time for people to ask their questions.”
Douglass says ELEFA will issue a semiannual report in the coming weeks and will hold another community session in four months.
This all stems from George Floyd‘s murder, and a similar settlement is pending with the U.S. Department of Justice after its investigators found city and police conduct violated the constitution and federal law. Both parties agreed to resolve the findings through a court-enforceable consent decree with an independent monitor.
But former President Trump opposed federal consent decrees in his first term, calling them “a war on police,” and terminating one in Chicago. It’s unclear what will happen in his second term, but Minneapolis is still promising reform.
The Office of Community Safety sent the following statement in response to KARE 11 inquiry:
“While negotiations with the Department of Justice have continued without pause, tonight’s community engagement session hosted by ELEFA is their first opportunity to talk with the people of Minneapolis since their selection as the Independent Evaluator for the MDHR settlement agreement and the release of their Evaluation Plan. This engagement goes to highlight the work well underway to implement the Settlement Agreement with the State. City leadership has been and will remain committed to reforming policing in Minneapolis and building a more just, equitable approach to community safety – regardless of who sits in the White House.”
-Commissioner Todd Barnette, Office of Community Safety
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights shared a similar message:
“The state consent decree between the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department is here to stay regardless of what happens at the federal level.”
-Spokesperson, Minnesota Department of Human Rights
The off-duty officer crashed into a vacant building at 3rd Street E and Maple Street on August 1, authorities said.
ST PAUL, Minn — A St. Paul Police officer is charged with driving while intoxicated after a crash this summer into a building that caught fire.
The crash happened around midnight on Aug. 1 at the corner of 3rd Street E and Maple Street, officials said. That’s in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood.
The driver, Bryan McKinnon, is a St. Paul Police Officer who was not on duty at the time. When responding officers arrived at the crash, Minnesota State Patrol was requested to take over the DWI investigation to avoid a conflict of interest, charging documents state.
When a trooper asked McKinnon what happened before the crash, charging documents allege McKinnon said he lost control of the vehicle. When asked if he had anything to drink before driving, he said he had two beers. The criminal complaint states McKinnon did not want to do a breathalyzer test, but a warrant was signed for a blood draw, which showed he had a blood alcohol limit of .178.
“This incident is deeply concerning and does not reflect or align with the values of our department or the expectations we have of each other or the people we serve,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry in August. “We are cooperating with the Minnesota State Patrol’s investigation and are following our internal policies and procedures.”
According to the criminal complaint the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case on a conflicts basis.
The trees were planted by local high school students over MEA break.
ST PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul officials are working to determine who is responsible for the damage and destruction of dozens of trees in the city.
According to St. Paul Parks and Recreation, 60 trees were harmed, including several that were thrown into the Mississippi River.
The trees were planted by local high school students in partnership with the nonprofit Tree Trust over MEA break, said the city organization.
St. Paul Parks and Rec believes the damage occurred overnight and caused nearly $40,000 of damage.
“While we are disappointed in this act and the negative impact it has on the neighboring community and our urban forest, we are working closely with Tree Trust to determine next steps for replacing the damaged trees,” said the statement.
This year’s 5k at U.S. Bank Stadium is set for Sunday, Nov. 24.
MINNEAPOLIS — Did you know nearly 300,000 kids and teens live with arthritis in the U.S.?
An annual event in the Twin Cities raises awareness and money for children with arthritis.
This year’s 5k Jingle Bell Run at U.S. Bank Stadium is set for Sunday, Nov. 24.
Arthritis Foundation honorees, Calvin Gerber and Rod Van Hoof joined KARE 11 News at 4 to discuss the upcoming event.
