Justice Dept. Finds Unconstitutional Conduct By Minneapolis Police
Published by The Lawfare Institute
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On June 16, the Justice Department released a report identifying unconstitutional practices routinely committed by the Minneapolis Police Department—the department whose officers killed George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The Justice Department opened the investigation in April 2021 following the conviction of Derek Chauvin for Floyd’s murder under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
The department found that the Minneapolis police use excessive force against individuals in violation of the Fourth Amendment; unlawfully discriminates against Black and Native American individuals as a part of law enforcement efforts; violates First Amendment rights by suppressing public protests and preventing the recording of law enforcement responses; and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act in interacting with those with behavioral health disabilities.
The Justice Department points to “persistent deficiencies” in the Minneapolis Police Department’s overly complex accountability system, which discourages and dismisses complaints; inadequate training; lack of officer supervision; and lack of officer wellness programs as reasons for the department’s unconstitutional policing.
The United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota Civil Division produced the report after the review of thousands of documents, body camera videos, Minneapolis City data, ride-alongs, and interviews with community members since 2021.
The Justice Department ends the report with a number of remedial suggestions for the Minneapolis Police Department.
You can read the report here or below:
