Summary of Findings from the Condemning Review of Minneapolis Police Post-George Floyd’s Death

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Last Friday, the Justice Department issued a damning review of the Minneapolis police, charging them with uncontrolled racial discrimination and excessive force preceding George Floyd’s death, due to ineffective supervision and a convoluted procedure for investigating grievances.

This investigation was initiated in April 2021, immediately following the conviction of Derek Chauvin, a white former officer, for the murder and manslaughter of Floyd, a Black man. Floyd’s death, caught on video as Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes despite Floyd’s pleas for air, led to nationwide protests and a wider evaluation of racial injustice in the country.

Below are six key insights from the review:

INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVE?

The probe aimed to discern whether the Minneapolis Police Department exhibited a trend or habit of illegal or unconstitutional policing. This included analysis of force application by officers, possible discriminatory practices, handling of misconduct allegations, treatment of individuals with mental health issues, and accountability mechanisms.

CRITICAL FINDINGS?

Investigators discovered numerous instances of unlawful discrimination, excessive force, and First Amendment violations. The review of 19 police shootings concluded that officers occasionally discharged their weapons without confirming an immediate threat to themselves or others.

Notable incidents include the fatal shooting of unarmed Justine Ruszczyk Damond in 2017 by an officer who was “startled” by her approach to his patrol car, and officers firing at a suspect self-harming in an interview room. The report also revealed that neck restraints similar to the one used on Floyd were applied 198 times between January 2016 and August 2022. Despite being banned following Floyd’s death, the practice continued.

In protests, the review found instances of unnecessary rubber bullet usage, with some protesters injured when not involved in criminal activities.

RACIAL BIAS FINDINGS?

Rampant racial profiling and racism was found within the department, with Black drivers disproportionately stopped more frequently than white ones. Racism was also noted in arrests, with some officers making racially inappropriate comments.

TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL?

The response of police to mental health emergencies often exacerbated the situations, the investigation found. Instances included unwarranted taser use on an unarmed man displaying signs of a mental health crisis, and physical restraint applied to a Black woman suffering from bipolar disorder.

HOW WERE OFFICERS ALLOWED TO MISBEHAVE?

Investigations into misconduct were drawn out and often failed to consider video evidence supporting public complaints. Supervisors regularly defended their subordinates, even in instances of clear policy violations.

WHAT NOW?

While the report acknowledged some improvements by the department, including chokehold and no-knock warrant bans, it emphasized that more progress is needed.

Following the investigation, the city and the police department agreed to a federal consent decree, a deal mandating reforms supervised by an independent monitor and authorized by a federal judge. This mirrors previous interventions in cities such as Seattle, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Ferguson, Missouri.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Minneapolis Police Review

More about Minneapolis Police Review

• Justice Department Report on Minneapolis Police
• George Floyd’s case and its aftermath
• Police Reforms in the US
• Federal Consent Decree Explained
• Racial Discrimination in Policing