Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Monday, February 9, 2026
Police Authority in Immigration Matters (Policy 9401)
Voluntary Transportation and Ambulances (Policy 9110)
Community Oversight and Police Accountability
Votes (7)
Police Policy Research and Recommendations (PPRR) Committee Report
Commissioner Shanfield reported on the PPRR committee's review of MPD Policy 9401, detailing updates made in December 2025 to strengthen the separation of MPD from federal immigration enforcement. The updated policy includes new layers of oversight, accountability, and member guidance, and protocols for federal assistance requests. The committee noted that Policy 9110 would be reviewed next.
Community Engagement Committee Report
Commissioner Stewart briefly reported that the Community Engagement Committee had discussed immigration laws and plans to work with neighborhood associations to gather community input for the full commission.
Approval of 2026 Calendar
Moved by Commissioner Shanfield [0:30:17] · Seconded by Unknown [0:30:45]
Commissioners discussed adjustments to the 2026 calendar, specifically a request to move a Police Policy Research and Recommendations (PPRR) meeting to accommodate preparation for a public hearing and staff support.
Motion to Adopt Amended Calendar
Moved by Unknown [0:32:04] · Seconded by Unknown [0:32:06]
Following the amendment to move a PPRR meeting, a motion was made to adopt the full 2026 calendar as amended.
Discussion on Police Policy 9401: Police Authority and Immigration Matters
Moved by Commissioner Baker [0:53:30] · Seconded by Unknown [0:54:30]
Commissioners engaged in a robust discussion about the implementation of MPD Policy 9401. Commissioner Baker raised concerns about MPD's perceived inaction regarding federal immigration enforcement (ICE/DHS) activities, lack of data collection on interventions, and the broader impact of alleged 'ethnic cleansing' by federal agents. Commissioner Kennedy praised the policy's design but emphasized the need to assess its implementation. There was a debate regarding the realistic capacity of MPD given staffing shortages and historical issues with the Black community, with some commissioners cautioning against diverting resources from core public safety issues.
Motion to Request Data for Policy 9401 Codes from Chief of Police
Moved by Commissioner Kennedy [1:10:47] · Seconded by Unknown [1:11:03]
In addition to previous questions, Commissioner Kennedy moved to specifically request data from the Chief of Police regarding the use of specific codes (e.g., ICEF F) mandated by Policy 9401 for reporting immigration-related incidents. This was intended to gather concrete information on the policy's implementation and adherence.
Motion to Delegate Practice Recommendations to PPRR and Submit Questions to Chief
Moved by Commissioner Baker [1:24:00] · Seconded by Unknown [1:25:34]
Commissioner Baker put forward a motion to formally delegate the Police Policy Research and Recommendations (PPRR) committee to draft practice recommendations for MPD regarding Policy 9401. This includes compiling ideas from commissioners by February 16th for discussion at the February 23rd PPRR meeting, and subsequently forwarding these to the Chief of Police for response at the March regular meeting. The motion also solidified the previous requests for the Chief to answer Commissioner Baker's initial questions and Commissioner Kennedy's data request regarding Policy 9401 codes by the February 23rd PPRR meeting.
Notable Quotes (5)
If after 60 more than 60 days of what could best be described as a campaign of retribution and ethnic cleansing, we haven't intervened. It is to have the chief refer to the duty to intervene in a press conference at the be beginning of December to have us have no examples of any actual interventions. I call into question his integrity of holding his officers accountable to intervene if we haven't seen it and and if we aren't getting any information when this is like the thing the entire world is focused on and they've not reported any of that data.
We have 13,000 National Guard available to back up the police. He's called on them when he needs to beat up protesters, when he need to beat up people who are defending our constitution.
I think we actually have a very good policy... it's not really about the policy in my view this month. maybe when we talk to the chief and can actually ask how has this been implemented or where's the data... but we should also be thinking more broadly what else can we do what can we ask our city officials to do.
We do have to remember that although immigration is very very important and these things are very very wrong and we we have to remember that Minneapolis PD has historically been so racist to black people, specifically black people... I just don't know if consistently saying this is what MPD needs to do for immigration when they still have a whole black community they need to rebuild with.
Our goal as an oversight commission should not be to ask the police to do more. It should be to ask them to do the things that they are trained to do properly and right and do them well. Oversight exists to be preventative. not asking authority to become overreaching because once they become overreaching, trust is broken and it's hard to get it back.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Proposed policy on voluntary transportation and ambulances, raising concerns about consent to search for transport.
MPD policy on police authority in immigration matters, recently updated to strengthen separation from federal enforcement, subject of extensive discussion regarding its implementation.
City ordinance requiring public safety personnel to report specific information on any use of city public safety personnel for public record and to the city council.
A set of recommendations for local government practices regarding federal immigration enforcement, including transparency campaigns and data collection.
A tax form referenced in a comparison of penalties for tax evasion versus immigration policy violations.
Refers to habeas corpus cases in federal courts, cited as evidence of unlawful detentions by federal agents.