Shocking Report Shows Minneapolis Police Department Engaged in Unlawful Policing for Years, Making George Floyd’s Murder Possible
The Minneapolis Police Department has been engaging in racial discrimination against Black and Native American people for years, violating their rights and using excessive force. This is according to a two-year investigation conducted by the Justice Department, which was triggered by the murder of George Floyd in 2020 that sparked nationwide protests.
In its final report, the Justice Department identified a pattern of “unlawful policing” by the MPD, which made George Floyd’s tragic death possible. The systemic problems continued despite reform efforts, as the department failed to address the issues that were raised by the community long before Floyd’s murder.
Attorney General Merrick Garland traveled to Minneapolis to announce the findings, saying that George Floyd should be alive today. He acknowledged that many MPD officers do their work professionally and with respect, but the patterns and practices uncovered by the investigation made what happened to Floyd possible.
The report revealed that MPD officers routinely disregard the safety of people in their custody, with numerous incidents of officers responding to a person saying they could not breathe with a version of, “You can breathe, you’re talking right now.” This is a disturbing revelation that showcases the disregard that some officers have for the lives of the people they are supposed to protect and serve.
Garland also highlighted some of the disturbing conduct that investigators found, including an officer who shot and killed an unarmed woman who had called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in a nearby alley. The officer said she had “spooked him” when she approached his squad car.
The report also showed that MPD officers stop, search, and use force against people who are Black and Native American at disproportionate rates. The data showed that MPD stopped Black and Native American people nearly six times more often than white people in situations that did not result in arrest or citation. This is a clear indication of racial profiling, which has no place in law enforcement.
Furthermore, investigators found that the MPD used unjustified deadly force in encounters with suspects, engaged in unreasonable use of force in encounters with young suspects, and at times failed to give proper medical aid to people they had taken into custody. These are all grave violations of human rights that should not be tolerated in any circumstance.
The report also revealed that officers reported for racist conduct or remarks were not held accountable until there was public outcry. This is unacceptable, as it erodes the community’s trust in law enforcement and perpetuates the cycle of systemic racism.
In conclusion, the Justice Department’s report on the Minneapolis Police Department is a shocking revelation of the systemic issues that have plagued law enforcement for years. It is a wake-up call for all law enforcement agencies to address racial discrimination, excessive use of force, and other human rights violations that are undermining public trust in law enforcement. We must all work together to ensure that all people are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.
References
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/louisville-police-engaged-pattern-unlawful-discriminatory-conduct-doj/story?id=97708844
- https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2015/11/18/76000510/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/21/mohamed-noor-resentenced-manslaughter-charge-justine-damond/6115887001/
- https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/05/24/photos-black-lives-matter-protests-after-george-floyds-murder/5186111001/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/16/minneapolis-police-excessive-force-george-floyd-merrick-garland/70329034007/
