City of Minneapolis Updates on Covid-19, Public Safety
Feb. 17, 2021
This newsletter provides updates on the City’s response to COVID-19, an overview of recovery efforts underway, efforts to transform public safety and other important news and information from the City of Minneapolis.
City leaders provide update on preparedness efforts ahead of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin trial
| The City of Minneapolis has been working with multijurisdictional partners for several months on a comprehensive public safety plan in preparation for the upcoming trial of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin, scheduled to start in March.
The jury selection for the trial is scheduled to begin the week of March 8 at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill is presiding over the trial. At the City’s request, Gov. Tim Walz has activated the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance to Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd. Crews have also started installing a security perimeter around the Hennepin County Government Center, City Hall and other nearby buildings in preparation for the trial. The perimeter will remain in place until the conclusion of the Chauvin trial. Throughout the trials, the City’s communications and engagement teams will be working with partners from multiple jurisdictions in a joint information system to keep the public informed using a coordinated communications and engagement strategy. Our goal is to create multiple channels to share timely and relevant information, and receive ongoing feedback from the community. Read more and watch this morning’s press conference. Law enforcement officials provide update on public safety plan for Chauvin trialMinneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo joined other law enforcement leaders for a media briefing this afternoon to introduce Operation Safety Net, which brings together local and state law enforcement agencies under a unified command to respond to any civil unrest interrupting peaceful protests during the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin. |
Public can comment on proposed charter amendment that would establish a new public safety department
People can comment on a proposed public safety charter amendment at an upcoming public hearing Thursday, Feb. 18. The proposal would create a new charter department to provide public safety services, including law enforcement, and remove the Police Department as a standalone charter department.
The public hearing takes place during the City Council’s Public Health & Safety Committee, which begins at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Information on participating is on the City’s meetings and hearings webpage.
The City Charter is the constitution of the City of Minneapolis. Legally, it is a delegation of a portion of the State’s central governing authority exercised at the local level.
The two ordinances that are subject of Thursday’s public hearing are Public Safety Charter Amendment Ordinance: Article VII (PDF) and Public Safety Charter Amendment Ordinance: Article VIII (PDF). If the proposed changes are approved by the City Council following the public hearing, State law requires the Charter Commission to review it and submit its recommendation(s) back to the City Council before a ballot question can be presented to voters this November.