This morning, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will be asking the court to withdraw from the consent decree agreement it reached with the Minneapolis Police Department. This comes less than a month after President Trump issued an executive order opining that consent decrees “impose legal and political handcuffs that make aggressively enforcing the law impossible.”
The consent decree was created in response to decades of racially biased, excessively violent policing in Minneapolis and was catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd.
"While the ACLU of Minnesota is disappointed in the DOJ’s decision to back out of this consent decree,” said ACLU-MN Executive Director Deepinder Mayell, “we are encouraged by Mayor Jacob Frey and Chief Brian O'Hara's public commitment to abide by the terms of the federal consent decree. The ACLU-MN and community intend to hold them to their word."
The consent decree between Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) is still in place. MPD is bound to follow this court order or MDHR could re-open its investigation and lawsuit against the city.
“The ACLU of Minnesota and the people of Minnesota expect Mayor Frey and Chief O’Hara to keep their word that MPD will implement all reforms they agreed to as part of the federal consent decree,” said ACLU-MN Legal Director Teresa Nelson. “We will continue to closely monitor the actions of MPD and work to hold them accountable for constitutional violations.”
“The findings of the DOJ investigation make it abundantly clear that reforms are needed,” said Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality. “The consent decree provides a roadmap for these reforms. We're disappointed that the DOJ has withdrawn from the agreement but in the absence of federal court oversight, the community is prepared to continue to push for the reforms we need."
“Community members under the consent decree demanded that MPD move away from a culture of violence to a culture that prioritizes humanity,” said ACLU-MN Policy and Advocacy Director Julio Zelaya. “Community members want MPD to be held accountable and to prioritize building relationships.”
“Minnesotans know that unconstitutional and violent policing doesn’t keep them safe,” said ACLU-MN Staff Attorney Alicia Granse. “They know that police should not violate the first amendment right to protest peacefully, that a culture of accountability is crucial, and all violations of rights and excessive force should be investigated. MPD must take this opportunity to engage in the transformational change the people of Minneapolis demand and deserve.”