MPD Constrained by Court Order

Lost in the midst of last summer's Uprising was the issuance of a court order that constrains the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department ('MPD'). The Legal Rights Center wants everyone in the community to be aware that the Minnesota Department of Human Rights has obtained a court-approved restraining order against the Minneapolis Police Department.  The order was agreed upon by MPD, and it provides a number of protections for anyone interacting with an MPD officer.  These protections include the following:

1. MPD officers are prohibited from using chokeholds,
   
2. MPD officers have a duty to report and intervene if any other officer engages in an unauthorized use of force,
   
3. MPD officers may only use crowd control weapons during protests and demonstrations when such measures are approved by the Chief of Police,
   
4. MPD must make timely and transparent disciplinary decisions when an officer is accused of misconduct,
   
5. MPD must make body camera footage available to be audited by the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department.

The order was obtained as a part of a lawsuit brought by the Department of Human Rights alleging that the killing of George Floyd while in the custody of MPD officer Derek Chauvin amounted to race-based discrimination in violation of state civil rights law. It has been in place since June 5th of last year.  It remains in effect during the trial of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd.  

What does that mean for you? It means that you can help hold MPD accountable.  If you observe a potential violation of the court order, such as an officer using a choke hold or excessive force, please report it to the Department of Human rights via their website: https://survey.mn.gov/s.asp?k=159078854680, or by calling 651-539-1100.

More information and a link to the order itself is available on the MDHR website here:  https://mn.gov/mdhr/mpd/courtorder/.  

If you plan to attend any of the protests for George Floyd, it is extremely important that you know the rights you have in the event that you have contact with the police.  Both the ACLU of Minnesota and Minnesota Uprising Arrestee Support are essential resources.  Their “know your rights” information can be found here: https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/chauvin-trial-kyr, and here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m1CfaHW4GGt-FPVlvufF9O77stps5-qH/view.