DOJ Finds Minneapolis Police Engage in a Pattern of Racial Discrimination and Excessive Force

A multi-Year US Department of Justice probe into the conduct of the Minneapolis Police Department has concluded. The findings echo what the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and Minneapolis communities of color have claimed for years; Minneapolis Police engage in a pattern or practice of racial discrimination and use of excessive force, in violation of both federal law and the constitution.

The probe examined policing behaviors in the years following the 2020 police murder of George Floyd.

Some of the DOJ findings include that the department uses unjustified force and deadly force, violates the rights of those participating in acts of protected speech, discriminates against Black and Native American communities in its enforcement, as well as people suffering from mental health issues.

According to the report, “MPD uses unreasonable force, infringes on First Amendment rights, and discriminates based on race and disability.”

Furthermore, the report found "persistent deficiencies in MPD’s accountability systems, training, supervision, and officer wellness programs,” which exacerbates the force’s practice of systemic racial discrimination.

The report recommendations include policy revisions, improved training, review of all instance where force is used, and continued data analysis focusing on racial disparities in policing.

"For years, MPD used dangerous techniques and weapons against people who committed at most a petty offense and sometimes no offense at all," the report noted. "MPD used force to punish people who made officers angry or criticized the police."

Are we surprised by these findings?