Justice Department: Minneapolis police violated civil rights

The Justice Department on Friday released a report after a two-year investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department’s practices. The investigation began in 2021 after a Minneapolis police officer was convicted of murder in the 2020 death of George Floyd. Federal officials said the department disproportionately targeted black people and Native Americans, as well as discriminated against people with behavioral health disabilities. The report also found that some officers used unnecessary and excessive force. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Friday that the pattern of police misconduct played a role in Floyd’s death.

What are the next steps for the department? Investigators in the report recommended nearly 30 improvements the city should implement. The recommendations included improving training, enhancing accountability measures, and developing better data collection procedures. The city has already prohibited police from using neck restraints like the one used on Floyd. The department also created a behavioral health response program.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Offereins’ report in Compassion about why cities need better mental health care and better policing—not one or the other.