City Council Rejects $15 Million Police Incentive Plan

November 16, 2023

During Friday’s special meeting, Minneapolis City Council voted 8-5 to reject a $15 million dollar incentive plan for the Minneapolis Police Department. The council had already voted down a version of the plan earlier this week 7-5.

The plan, which tentatively signed weeks ago by labor negotiators for the city and the police union, included a 2.5 year deal which offered $18k to existing officers and $15k to new recruits. The proposed plan sought money from this year’s public safety aid fund.

“At this point, I think the best route is to move forward with a contract in the immediacy," Mayor Jacob Frey, who called the special session, stated at a news conference immediately following the rejection vote. "As to how to spend the $19 million [in one-time Minnesota aid] I'm not going to come up with a solution on my own."

Police Chief Brian O’Hara believed the incentives would boost morale in the force. According to O’Hara, the police department is still short nearly 360 officers. He also stated that he believes “Minnesota is probably the most difficult place in this country to become a police officer.”

Council members who voted against the agreement: Jeremiah Ellison, Robin Wonsley, Elliott Payne, Andrew Johnson, Aisha Chughtai, Jamal Osman, Emily Koski and Jason Chavez.

Council members who voted for the agreement: Andrea Jenkins, Linea Palmisano, Lisa Goodman, Michael Rainville and LaTrisha Vetaw.

What do you think?