DOJ Finds Civil Rights Violations by the Minneapolis Police Department and the City of Minneapolis

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Recently, following a comprehensive investigation regarding the death of George Floyd, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and the City of Minneapolis (City) engage in a pattern or practice of conduct in violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The Department also announced that the city and MPD have agreed in principle to resolve the Department’s findings through a court enforceable consent decree with an independent monitor, rather than through contested litigation.

 Specifically, the DOJ finds that the MPD:

• Uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force and unreasonable use of tasers;

• Unlawfully discriminates against Black people and Native American people in its enforcement activities, including the use of force following stops;

• Violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech; and

• Along with the city, discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to calls for assistance.

The DOJ identified and concluded that persistent deficiencies in policy, training, supervision, and accountability contribute to the unlawful conduct.

“These findings present a sobering picture of a flawed system – but today we turn towards change through justice,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Bildtsen for the District of Minnesota. “This thorough investigation is the foundation to make fair and lawful policing a reality for our entire community.”

The city and MPD cooperated fully with the DOJ’s investigation. The DOJ provided a comprehensive written report of its investigative findings to the city and MPD. The report acknowledges the changes already made by the city and MPD, and it identifies additional remedial measures that the Department believes are necessary to fully address its findings.

The DOJ conducted this investigation pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (Section 12601), which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law, the Safe Streets Act of 1968, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The findings announced are the result of the DOJ’s civil pattern or practice investigation and are separate from the DOJ’s criminal cases against former MPD officers for federal crimes related to the death of George Floyd.

The DOJ will reach out to members of the Minneapolis community for input on remedies to address the Department’s findings. Individuals may also submit recommendations by email at Community.Minneapolis@usdoj.gov or by phone at 1-866-432-0268.

This is one of eight investigations into law enforcement agencies opened during this Administration by the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department under Section 12601. The Department has ongoing investigations into the Phoenix Police Department; the Mount Vernon Police Department; the Louisiana State Police; the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division; the Worcester Police Department; and the Oklahoma City Police Department. The Department has issued Section 12601 findings reports in the past year regarding the Louisville Metro Police Department, as well as the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department.

SUMMARY: The DOJ identified and concluded that persistent deficiencies in policy, training, supervision, and accountability contributed to unlawful conduct at the MPD. If you believe your civil rights, or someone else’s, have been violated, submit a report using the online form.