Key Findings from the Minneapolis Police Report Following George Floyd’s Killing

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In response to the tragic killing of George Floyd, the Justice Department conducted a comprehensive investigation into the Minneapolis police force. The report, released recently, delivered scathing conclusions about the department’s practices, citing racial discrimination, excessive use of force, and a flawed complaint investigation process as contributing factors to the events leading to Floyd’s death. Here are the key takeaways from the report:

1. Purpose of the Investigation:
   The investigation aimed to assess whether the Minneapolis Police Department had a pattern or practice of unconstitutional and unlawful policing. It scrutinized the use of force, including during protests, examined discriminatory practices, evaluated the handling of misconduct allegations, and assessed systems of accountability.

2. Key Findings:
   The report uncovered numerous instances of excessive force, unlawful discrimination, and violations of First Amendment rights. It revealed that officers fired their weapons without assessing immediate threats in 19 police shootings reviewed. One case involved the fatal shooting of an unarmed Australian-born woman who called 911 to report a possible rape, resulting in a $20 million settlement. The report also highlighted the continued use of neck restraints, even after their ban following Floyd’s killing. Rubber bullets were used on peaceful protesters, resulting in serious injuries to individuals, including journalists.

3. Racial Bias in Policing:
   The report exposed widespread racism and racial profiling within the Minneapolis Police Department. Black drivers were more than six times as likely to be stopped compared to white drivers. Instances of racist comments and derogatory behavior toward Black individuals were documented. Complaints filed against officers involved in racial incidents were often dismissed without merit, raising concerns about accountability and the department’s commitment to addressing racial bias.

4. Treatment of the Mentally Ill:
   The investigation found that police responses to mental health crises often exacerbated the situation. Officers used force without warning in cases involving unarmed individuals experiencing mental health episodes. The report highlighted a distressing incident where an officer put a Black woman with bipolar disorder in a neck restraint despite her calm demeanor, while her mother pleaded for her safety.

5. Lack of Accountability for Misconduct:
   The report revealed significant shortcomings in the investigation of police misconduct. Lengthy delays in the process and a failure to consider video evidence supporting public complaints were common. Supervisors frequently sided with officers involved in misconduct, disregarding policy violations. One case illustrated a supervisor defending an officer’s excessive use of a taser, dismissing the victim’s plea for compliance.

6. The Way Forward:
   While acknowledging some progress made by the department, such as the ban on chokeholds and no-knock warrants, training on intervention duty, and involvement of mental health workers, the report emphasized the need for further reforms. To facilitate these changes, a federal consent decree has been agreed upon by the city and the police department. This decree will be overseen by an independent monitor and approved by a federal judge, similar to previous interventions in cities like Seattle, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Ferguson.

The findings of the report shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive reform within the Minneapolis Police Department. Through the implementation of the consent decree and continued efforts toward accountability and transparency, the hope is to prevent future injustices and ensure the fair and unbiased treatment of all individuals by law enforcement.

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More about police reform

• Justice Department Report on Minneapolis Police
• George Floyd Killing: A Turning Point in U.S. Policing?
• Minneapolis Police Department
• Racial Profiling in Policing
• Police Reform and Accountability
• Federal Consent Decree
• Systemic Issues in Law Enforcement
• Independent Monitoring of Police Reforms
• Mental Health and Policing