On June 5, Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero announced next steps in the civil rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), following the death of George Floyd.
In an unprecedented move, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed an emergency court action and an agreed proposed court order that details immediate structural changes that the MPD must implement. The City of Minneapolis agreed to implement structural changes and joined the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in submitting the court order.
Read the court order here.
The proposed court order also requires the MPD to comply with the ongoing civil rights investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Once the order is reviewed and approved by the Hennepin County District Court, the court will have the power to enforce these reforms and failure to comply could result in an action for contempt of court
The civil rights investigation into MPD policies, procedures, and practices over the past 10 years remains ongoing. The investigation will determine if the MPD has engaged in systemic discriminatory practices towards people of color and ensure any such practices are stopped.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is committed to engaging with community throughout this investigation. Minnesotans with information that can further the civil investigation into the MPD should contact the Minnesota Department of Human Rights at
mn.gov/mdhr or 651-539-1100.
