Dakota Times

Nine Minneapolis City Council members said they will begin the work of ending the Minneapolis Police Department.

“We recognize that we don’t have all the answers about what a police-free future looks like, but our community does,” they said, according to the Star Tribune. “We’re committed to engaging with every willing community member in the City of Minneapolis over the next year to identify what safety looks like for you.”

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, the city has a chance to redefine policing. Many other cities across the country have echoed the cries to defund the police. 

While some council members have hinted at what change may look like, a single statement of what redefined policing looks like in Minneapolis has not been released. 

Mayor Jacob Frey has said that while he is supportive of department change, he does not support the full abolishment of the city police department.

In response to the city council members' statement, Rep. Patrick Garofalo said, “Before the Minneapolis City Council defunds or disbands the Minneapolis  Police Department, there needs to be legislative hearings on what the consequences of that would mean for our region and state. Legislators cannot sit by silently while a rogue city council drives our state into anarchy.”