The Minneapolis Police Department has committed to a model of racial discrimination in violation of state civil rights law over the past decade, thanks to a culture of leadership that does not hold troubled officials accountable, according to a sharp report released Wednesday morning by the Ministry of Human Rights. man in Minnesota.
In a two-year investigation, the Minnesota State Department of Human Rights found that Minnesota’s largest municipal police agency used force, stopped, searched, arrested, and quoted black people – especially blacks – at a significantly higher percentage than whites, according to 72 report page. Minneapolis police are also monitoring “hidden social media” blacks and non-criminal organizations and using fake accounts to criticize an online council member and government official. Officials also regularly use “racist, misogynistic and disrespectful language,” the report said.
City and police chiefs were aware of these practices, which undermine the Minneapolis public system, the report said. “Yet these leaders have not acted collectively with the urgency, coordination and intent needed to tackle racial differences to improve public safety,” the report said.
Instead, the department continued to emphasize paramilitary training, which resulted in officers “unnecessarily escalating clashes or using inappropriate levels of force.” And the system of holding employees accountable for misconduct is “insufficient and ineffective,” according to the report.
The human rights department will work with Minneapolis civil servants to develop a consent decree, which is an enforceable court agreement that identifies specific changes that need to be made and the timing of those changes, the statement said. of the agency. The department will meet with community members, Minneapolis officials, city officials and other stakeholders to gather feedback on what should be included in a consent decree.
“Race-based police are illegal and harm everyone, especially people of color and members of the local community – sometimes costing the lives of community members,” Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said in a statement Wednesday. “I look forward to the upcoming work with the municipality, MPD and community members to improve public safety by reversing illegal police practices.”
At a press conference Lucero gave his consent …
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