THE United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed a two-year investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department’s policies, training, supervision, and use of force, which lasted a little over two years after it was prompted by the police killing of George Floyd.
Speaking at the Minneapolis City’s Federal Courthouse on Friday, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the findings of the 89-page report regarding the investigation of the city of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).
Garland said the DOJ’s comprehensive review of the MPD looked into the Police Department as a whole, not at the actions of any individual officer.
The investigation which lasted a little over 2 years was prompted by the police killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, when he was killed at the hands of a law enforcement officer who was sworn to protect.
The DOJ has since convicted 4 former Minneapolis Police Officers for their roles in Floyd’s death.
What happened on May 25, 2020, has sparked a public outcry not only in the U.S. but all over the world.
George Floyd’s death sparks public outcry
“Charge the Cops. Do your job. Do what you say this country is supposed to be about the land of the free for all. It has not been free for Black People and we are tired. Don’t talk to us about looting. Y’all are the looters. America has looted black people. America looted the Native Americans when they first came here so looting is what you do. We learned it from you. We learned it from you. We learned violence from you. We learned violence from you. Violence was what we learned from you. So if you want us to do better, then damn it, you do better,” said Tamika Mallory, Social Justice Advocate.
DOJ finds Minneapolis police routinely used excessive force
Before Garland discussed the findings in detail, he quoted a city leader saying, “These systemic issues didn’t just occur on May 25, 2020.”
Meanwhile, following the investigation, the DOJ found or had reasonable cause to believe that the city of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law.
First, the DOJ found that the MPD uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force and other types of force often when no force is necessary including unjust deathly force and unreasonable use of tasers.
This was the case with Derek Chauvin when he used excessive force on George Floyd which later led to his death.
Second, the DOJ found that the MPD unlawfully discriminates against Black and Native American People in its enforcement activities including the use of force following stops.
During his public address, Garland said MPD officers stopped, searched, and then used force against people who are Black and Native American at disproportionate rates.
The data they have collected showed for example that MPD stopped Black and Native American People nearly 6 times more often than White People in situations that did not result in arrest or citation.
The DOJ also found several incidents in which MPD officers were not held accountable for racist conduct until there was a public outcry.
The third finding of the DOJ is that the MPD violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech by retaliating against protesters as well as members of the press.
And lastly, the DOJ found that the MPD and the city discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to calls for assistance.
After discussing these findings in detail, the attorney general highlighted that some important changes had already been instituted.
This includes the prohibition of all types of neck restraints and the banning of no-knock search warrants.
Moreover, the DOJ is recommending 28 remedial measures that provide a starting framework to improve public safety, build community trust, and comply with the Constitution and federal law.
During the DOJ’s announcement, Garland also took the opportunity to address the officers of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Before the end of the announcement, Garland said the DOJ looks forward to working with the city and the MPD to achieve meaningful and durable reform.
