“Minnesotans are demanding real change,” said Governor Walz. “We stand united with House and Senate leaders and the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, ready to get to work during the upcoming special session. I stand with the legislators who have coordinated a powerful set of reforms to make meaningful changes to our law enforcement system in Minnesota.”
A day after Governor Tim Walz announced police reform would be a top priority for the special legislative session, he stood with House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, and members of the Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus to announce a comprehensive set of police reform and accountability measures.
“Every branch of government has a role in building systems that work for all Minnesotans, and I am excited to do this work in partnership with legislative leaders,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “The problems we are facing are not new. Many of the solutions before us are not new. It is our role now to make sure these proposals are heard, acted on, and implemented to make meaningful change.”
Modeled on recommendations from the POCI Caucus and the Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters Working Group chaired by Minnesota Attorney General (AG) Keith Ellison and Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner John Harrington, the proposals support use of force reform, funding for alternatives to policing, and greater police oversight.
Police Accountability and Reform Legislative Priorities
Use of Force
Reform of the keystone statute that defines when law enforcement is justified in using deadly force to prioritize sanctity of life. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.
Alternatives to Policing
Creates new models of ensuring public safety by: 1) Creating a new office within DPS to administer grants to community-based violence-intervenors and problem solvers to intercept violence and reduce interactions with law enforcement, and 2) Providing funding for a co-responder form of policing that pairs officers with social worker when responding to crisis calls and welfare checks. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.
Police Oversight Reform
Creates a robust framework of accountability of the law enforcement profession through: 1) Expansion of the POST board and creation of a Police-Community Relations Council at the POST Board, 2) Reforming how arbitrations of the termination of law enforcement officers are handled, and 3) Requiring robust, real-time data collection and analysis of complaint, discipline and use of force data and use it to inform reforms at the POST Board, particularly as it relates to licensure decisions.
Voting Restoration
Ends the disenfranchisement of over 50,000 Minnesotans. Those who are not serving a sentence in a prison facility—who are in their communities and contributing to their families and rebuilding their lives —must be provided their right to vote, regardless of supervision status.
Community Healing
Creates a grant program to fund professional community healers trained to respond to systemic oppression-induced historic and present-day trauma through supportive services. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.
Independent Prosecution and Investigation Reform
Provides the AG with independent jurisdiction for the prosecution of police-involved deaths and create an independent investigation unit within Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for police-involved cases. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.
Training Expansion
Expands training in de-escalation and mental health crisis intervention. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.
Warrior Training and Choke Holds Prohibited
Prohibits the use of all restraints or holds by law enforcement that purposely restrict a person’s airways or blood flow and ends the use of warrior-style training.
—Information provided by the Office of Governor Walz.
Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.