Brooklyn Center, Minnesota implemented new changes to policing in a 4-1 vote in the city council meeting, following the death of Daunte Wright in April. The changes include a new department of public safety that will have unarmed officers to conduct traffic stops and a mental health division.
Daunte Wright was shot and killed by former Brooklyn Park Police Officer Kim Potter, after it was discovered he had a warrant out for his arrest. Wright did not follow police instructions and reentered his vehicle while the officers were attempting to arrest him.
Wright’s death promoted more protests and riots to an already crime-ridden Minneapolis area. Kim Potter was arrested shortly after Wright’s death and charged with second-degree manslaughter.
The resolution to change policing was passed despite many concerns from those within law enforcement. Some officers said they had concerns about the safety of sending unarmed civilians in to make traffic stops.
The resolution would introduce two new departments as reported by Fox News, “a Traffic Enforcement Division responsible for enforcing ‘non-moving’ traffic violations, and a Community Response Department comprised of trained medical and mental health professionals.”
Chuck Valleau, acting president of Local #82, representing rank and file officers of the Brooklyn Center Police Department wrote a letter to the public where he said that, “Our union members remain committed to community outreach and strengthening our relationships with our residents. We stand willing to identify and address any racial inequity in our city.”
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Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun | Star News Network and The College Fix. She graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Send news tips to [email protected].
Photo “Brooklyn Center Police Department Squad Car” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.
It is unclear how these policies will keep criminals like Wright from attacking women and robbing them at gunpoint, or fighting with police to evade arrest. It is dishonest to portray the criminals actions as “not following instructions” as he was fighting police to escape. Wright was evading arrest for breaking the terms of his bail.