Minneapolis Police Department Archives

Judge Threatens to Move Trial Out of Minneapolis If Public Officials Don’t Stop Speaking Out About Floyd Case

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020 The Associated Press

A Minnesota judge on Monday warned that he’s likely to move the trials of four former police officers charged in George Floyd’s death out of Minneapolis if public officials, attorneys and family members don’t stop speaking out about the case.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill stopped short of issuing a gag order against attorneys on both sides, but he said he likely will if public statements continue that make it hard to find an impartial jury. Cahill said that would also make him likely to grant a change-of-venue motion if one is filed, as he anticipates.

Judge Rejects Cameras in the Courtroom for Former Police Officers’ Pretrial Hearings in Floyd Death

June 28, 2020June 27, 2020 The Associated Press

A Minnesota judge on Friday rejected allowing cameras in the court for pretrial proceedings of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.

Minneapolis Council Members Who Want to Abolish Police Have Received $63,000 in Private Security

June 28, 2020June 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis has spent $63,000 on private security for three council members who want to abolish the city’s police department.

Council Member Phillipe Cunningham confirmed the report in a statement released on Twitter Friday night.

Pelosi Says House Police Reform Bill ‘Worthy of George Kirby’s Name’

June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing Friday that the Democrat-led police reform bill is “worthy of George Kirby’s name.”

The bill, however, is named for George Floyd, who died one month ago while in the custody of the Minneapolis police.

Council Unanimously Approves Plan to Dismantle Minneapolis Police

June 27, 2020June 26, 2020 The Associated Press

The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously approved a proposal to change the city charter to allow the police department to be dismantled, following widespread criticism of law enforcement over the killing of George Floyd.

State Senators to Hold Oversight Hearings on Handling of Minneapolis Riots, Ask DOJ to Investigate Police

June 26, 2020June 25, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Three Republican state senators called on U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and the Department of Justice to investigate the Minneapolis Police Department and its response to recent unrest in the city.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) announced plans to hold a series of legislative oversight hearings beginning July 1 on state and local responses to the riots.

Republican Pete Stauber, Former Law Enforcement Officer, Carries Police Reform Bill in the House

June 24, 2020June 23, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), a former law enforcement officer of more than 20 years, announced last week that he will carry police reform legislation in the U.S. House.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced on Wednesday the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, a Republican-backed police reform bill that was set in motion after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

‘Absolute Lie’: DFL Chairman Falsely Claims Jason Lewis ‘Denouncing Need for Police Reform’

June 24, 2020June 23, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin falsely claimed that Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis is “denouncing the need for police reform.”

Lewis, a former congressman who’s running against Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), hosted a press conference Monday outside the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct to express his support for the “good men and women of law enforcement,” and condemn Democratic efforts to abolish the police.

Second Ex-Officer Charged in Floyd’s Death Posts Bail

June 21, 2020June 20, 2020 The Associated Press

A second former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd is out of jail after posting bail.

University of Minnesota and Its Law School Announce George Floyd Memorial Scholarships

June 18, 2020June 17, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Several schools across the nation have launched memorial scholarships in honor of George Floyd, including the University of Minnesota and its law school.

The University of Minnesota Law School announced the creation of a George Floyd Memorial Scholarship in Law on Monday.

911 Dispatcher Watching Floyd Death Alerted Police Supervisor of Incident

June 17, 2020June 16, 2020 The Associated Press

A 911 dispatcher who was apparently watching in real time as a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into the neck of George Floyd called a supervisor to tell him what she saw, not caring if it made her look like a “snitch,” according to a recording of the call made public Monday.

In the call, the dispatcher calls a police sergeant and says what she was seeing on live video looked “different” and that she wanted to let him know about it. The dispatcher was in a 911 call center at the time and was watching video from a surveillance camera posted at the intersection where police apprehended Floyd, according to city spokesman Casper Hill.

Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls Minneapolis Police ‘Rotten,’ Can’t Explain Who Will Respond to Violent Crimes Without Them

June 16, 2020June 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) was unable to provide details on who will respond to violent crimes in her city without a police force, but said the Minneapolis Police Department is “rotten to the root” during a Sunday interview.

“What takes its place?” CNN host Jake Tapper asked the congresswoman. “Who investigates crimes? Who arrests criminals? What happens?”

Seven Minneapolis Officers Quit, More Expected to Resign: ‘Everybody Hates the Police Right Now’

June 15, 2020June 14, 2020 The Associated Press

At least seven Minneapolis police officers have quit and another seven are in the process of resigning, citing a lack of support from department and city leaders as protests over George Floyd’s death escalated.

St. Paul Man Charged with Arson in Third Precinct Fire

June 11, 2020June 10, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Federal authorities charged a St. Paul man this week with aiding and abetting arson for his involvement in the destruction of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct.

The Third Precinct was one of the hundreds of buildings destroyed by rioters in the wake of George Floyd’s alleged murder by police officers on Memorial Day. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has faced substantial criticism for his decision to give up the Third Precinct on the night of May 28.

Minneapolis Police Chief Withdraws from Negotiations with Police Union

June 11, 2020June 10, 2020 The Associated Press

The Minneapolis Police Department will withdraw from police union contract negotiations, Chief Medaria Arradondo said Wednesday, as he announced initial steps in what he said would be transformational reforms to the agency in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Faced with calls from activists and a majority of City Council members to dismantle or defund the department, Arradondo also said he would use a new system to identify problem officers and intervene if there are early warning signs of trouble.

Two Hennepin County Commissioners Voted to Remove Medical Examiner Because of Floyd Autopsy Results

June 11, 2020June 10, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Two members of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday in favor of removing the county’s medical examiner because they didn’t like the results of his autopsy in the case of George Floyd.

Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker released a 20-page autopsy report last week with the permission of Floyd’s family and concluded that Floyd’s heart stopped while being restrained by officers. The report revealed that Floyd tested positive for the coronavirus, had fentanyl and meth in his blood, and had a number of underlying health conditions.

Officer Charged in Floyd’s Death Makes First Court Appearance, Held on $1 Million Bail

June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 The Associated Press

A judge on Monday kept bail at $1 million for a former Minneapolis police officer charged with second-degree murder in George Floyd’s death.

Derek Chauvin, 44, said almost nothing during an 11-minute hearing in which he appeared before Hennepin County Judge Denise Reilly on closed-circuit television from the state’s maximum security prison in Oak Park Heights.

Anoka Sheriff Says ‘Many Agencies’ Have ‘No Appetite’ for Helping Minneapolis If It Abolishes Police Department

June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart said “many agencies” have “no appetite” for helping Minneapolis in the future if its leaders follow through on a plan to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

“The members of the Minneapolis City Council should be mindful that numerous other law enforcement agencies have responded to support them, to restore order, to protect their citizens and to return peace to their city during recent tragic days. We did this while joining our communities in disgust over the way in which George Floyd lost his life and in hopes of a stronger, unified future,” Stuart said in a statement released on Facebook Sunday night.

U of M, Minneapolis Schools and Others Cut Ties with Police Department

June 6, 2020June 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Several institutions plan to cut ties with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in response to the alleged murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died while in police custody on Memorial Day.

University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel informed students last week that the school will no longer contract with the MPD for large events, like football games and concerts, or specialized law enforcement services, such as K-9 explosive detection units.

DFL Lawmakers Want State and Federal Aid to Rebuild Minneapolis

June 6, 2020June 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

DFL lawmakers want the state and federal governments to chip in to help repair the estimated $55 million in damage caused to Minneapolis in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus called for “immediate legislative funding for Minneapolis and St. Paul rebuilding efforts” in a joint statement.

City of Minneapolis, State Patrol Sued for Attacks on Journalists During Riots

June 5, 2020June 4, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A class-action lawsuit was filed this week against the leaders of the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for their “attacks” on journalists during last week’s riots.

“The press is under assault in our City. Over the past week, the Minneapolis Police and the Minnesota State Patrol have tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, shot in the face with rubber bullets, arrested without cause, and threatened journalists at gunpoint, all after these journalists identified themselves and were otherwise clearly engaged in their reporting duties,” states the lawsuit.

Full Autopsy Released, Shows George Floyd Tested Positive for Coronavirus, Had Meth and Fentanyl in Blood

June 5, 2020June 4, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released a full autopsy Wednesday in the case of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day.

The 20-page report was released with the permission of Floyd’s family and determined that Floyd’s heart stopped while being restrained by officers. A summary of the findings released earlier this week listed the “manner of death” as a homicide, but the coroner’s office said that a manner of death classification is “a statutory function of the medical examiner.”

Charge Upgraded to Second-Degree Murder in Floyd Case, Three Other Officers Charged

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020 The Associated Press

Prosecutors charged a Minneapolis police officer accused of pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck with a new more serious charge of second-degree murder on Wednesday, and for the first time leveled charges against three other officers at the scene, according to criminal complaints.

The updated criminal complaint against Derek Chauvin says the officer’s actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death.

Minneapolis Council Member Says City Council Looking Into ‘Disbanding’ Police, Making Modern ‘Policing a Thing of the Past’

June 4, 2020June 3, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis Council Member Steve Fletcher said Tuesday that he and his colleagues are looking into “what it would take to disband” the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and “start fresh.”

In a lengthy statement posted to Twitter, Fletcher said the behavior of Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis President Bob Kroll demonstrates that “the department is irredeemably beyond reform.” Kroll was widely condemned this week after a letter to his fellow officers was leaked to the press. In the letter, Kroll said the officers involved in the death of George Floyd were fired “without due process.”

Charges: Illinois Man Traveled to Minneapolis to Riot

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020 The Associated Press

An Illinois man who allegedly traveled to Minneapolis to participate in riots after the death of George Floyd has been arrested and charged with federal counts, after prosecutors say videos posted to his Facebook page showed him handing out explosives and damaging property.

Department of Human Rights Launches Civil Rights Investigation of Minneapolis Police Department

June 3, 2020June 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced Tuesday that the state will begin a civil rights investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department after one of its officers was charged with murder in the death of George Floyd.

The state agency has also filed a human rights complaint against the police department in relation to Floyd’s death.

Ellison Says Black People in Minneapolis Have Reason to Fear and Distrust Local Police, Claims MPD Has ‘Endemic Problem’

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said during an interview Sunday morning that he believes African-Americans in Minneapolis have reason to distrust and fear their local police.

“Sadly, yes. There is a history that has been repeated time and time again. I want to say that many officers are great people. I know so many of them and I think the chief is an extraordinary person, and the mayor and the council deserve a lot of credit for appointing Mr. Arradondo, but it is an endemic problem in the Minneapolis Police Department,” Ellison said on Fox News Sunday.

VIDEOS: Businesses Across Twin Cities Burned to the Ground, Residents Work to Clean Up

May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – More than 200 businesses across the Twin Cities have been vandalized, looted, or burned in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was allegedly murdered Monday night by a Minneapolis police officer.

After setting fire to the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct Thursday night, rioters made their way to the Fifth Precinct Friday, reducing a nearby Wells Fargo and U.S. Post Office to rubble.

Shocking Footage Shows Minneapolis Protesters Wreaking Havoc on Police Precinct, Destroying Squad Cars, Looting Target

May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department were reportedly attacked with rocks and paintballs Tuesday night as protesters rioted in response to the death of George Floyd.

Video from the tragic Monday night incident shows a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of a handcuffed Floyd, who repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken into custody.

Minneapolis Mayor Calls for Charges Against Officer in George Floyd Case

May 27, 2020May 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Mayor Jacob Frey called on the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office to pursue charges against a Minneapolis police officer involved in a viral incident that led to the death of George Floyd.

The global community erupted in outrage after video showed a Minneapolis officer, who has been identified in some reports as Derek Chauvin, pressing his knee into the neck of a handcuffed Floyd, who repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe.

Candid Video Shows Minneapolis Mayor Accusing Lawmaker of Lying After House GOP Unveils New Crime Bill

February 19, 2020February 18, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey crashed a Monday press conference called by House Republicans who unveiled a package of bills aimed at addressing an increase in violent crime in the Twin Cities.

Metro Transit Experiences First Shooting on a Bus in a Decade

February 9, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Two people were shot Thursday night in Minneapolis on a Metro Transit bus, the Minneapolis Police Department has revealed.

Minneapolis Police Officers Now Required to Take ‘Dog Sensitivity’ Training

January 24, 2020January 23, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

All Minneapolis police officers are now required to complete a two-day “dog sensitivity” training to prevent the use of lethal force on hostile animals.

Minneapolis Police Receive Mandatory Training on Gender Pronouns

December 6, 2019December 5, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Officers in the Minneapolis Police Department were required to sit in on a lecture about the “infinite number” of gender pronouns, a source told The Minnesota Sun.

Minneapolis Petition Demands City ‘Divest’ from Policing

October 29, 2019October 28, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

An organization called “Reclaim the Block” is circulating a petition that calls on the Minneapolis city government to “divest” from its police force.

Minneapolis Police Union Selling ‘Cops for Trump’ Shirts After Dept Policy Change

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis is now selling “cops for Trump” t-shirts after the Minneapolis Police Department changed its political endorsement policy.

Minneapolis Police Dept Changes Endorsement Policy, Insists It Has Nothing to Do with Trump Visit

October 4, 2019October 6, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The Minneapolis Police Department recently announced a new policy that prohibits off-duty officers from wearing their uniforms at political events or for the purpose of a political endorsement. The policy change was announced by Police Chief Medaria Arradondo just a day after President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign revealed plans for an October 10 rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Police Bust Gang Members for String of Violent Beatings as Police Chief Pleads for More Officers

September 14, 2019September 13, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis Police have arrested more than a dozen suspected gang members involved in a string of violent robberies and beatings in the downtown area.

Minneapolis Mayor Frey’s Budget Address Repeatedly Shut Down by Anti-Police Protesters

August 19, 2019August 18, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey requested the funds for 14 additional law enforcement officers in his 2020 budget, even though Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said his department needs 400 new officers by 2025.

Business Owners Speak Out on Violence in Minneapolis: ‘It’s the Wild, Wild West’

August 13, 2019August 12, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Business owners in downtown Minneapolis are speaking out on the wave of violent crimes hitting the area and the overall “decline” of the bustling city.

Minneapolis Police Officers Fired Over Offensive Christmas Tree Decorations

August 9, 2019August 8, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Two Minneapolis police officers responsible for hanging offensive decorations on a precinct’s Christmas tree last December have been fired, the Minneapolis Police Department recently revealed.

Minnesota Leftists Claim Noor Verdict Was Based on His Race

May 2, 2019May 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor’s Tuesday guilty verdict marked an unprecedented moment in Minnesota’s legal history. He was the first officer in the state’s history to be convicted of murder for a shooting committed in the line of duty. The Noor case flipped the racial narratives surrounding police…

Minneapolis Bans ‘Fear-Based’ Police Training

April 20, 2019April 19, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Whitney Tipton Minneapolis police officers will no longer be allowed to attend training based on the “warrior style” philosophy, Mayor Jacob Frey announced Thursday. The controversial instruction, available through private seminars, teaches officers to be aware of the threats around them and overcome the fear of taking a…

Minneapolis’ ‘Little Mogadishu’ Sees 56 Percent Increase in Violent Crimes Caused by Somali Gangs

January 2, 2019January 8, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Violent crimes increased by more than 50 percent in 2018 in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, nicknamed “little Mogadishu,” which authorities attribute to Somali gang activity in the area. Buried in a recent Star Tribune article was the fact that violent crimes jumped from 54 in 2010 to 84 in 2018, an…

Minneapolis Police Officer Fired Over Offensive Christmas Decorations

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

A ranking member of the Minneapolis Police Department was fired Monday after he was found responsible for decorating a precinct Christmas tree will allegedly racist ornaments. Images of the tree, located at the department’s north side precinct, began to surface on social media Friday and showed a tree decorated with…

Prosecutors Say Ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor ‘Intended’ to Kill Australian Woman

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 Jason M. Reynolds

A former Minneapolis police officer “intended” to kill Justine Ruszczyk Damond when he shot the Australian woman multiple times last year, prosecutors argued as they seek a more serious murder count, KID Newsradio said. Prosecutors said they plan to charge Mohamed Noor with intentional second-degree murder in the death of Damond,…

Minneapolis Police Now Required to List Illegal Immigrant Rights in All Squad Cars

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

Minneapolis is now beginning to install placards in its squad cards with a list of rights illegal immigrants have when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and city police. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the proposal during his inaugural “State of the City” address in May, saying he believes…

Ellison Investigation Stalled After Local Authorities Decline Request to Review

October 4, 2018October 3, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party is forwarding its investigation into Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN-05) on to local authorities as a final step in the process, but so far nobody has agreed to undertake the review. Earlier this week, The Associated Press obtained a leaked copy of the DFL’s final report on…

Minneapolis is Doing Everything It Can to Become a Sanctuary City

September 9, 2018September 9, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

A Minneapolis city ordinance prevents local police officers from inquiring “about immigration status” when conducting their policing. The policy made local headlines in early August when Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disparaged Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis President Bob Kroll and his colleagues for appearing in a campaign mailer for Tim…

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