Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Monday, September 28, 2026
Mayor's Proposed 2027 MPD Budget Overview
MPD Budget Overspending and Accountability
Recruitment Pathways (CSO & Cadet Programs)
Investigations and Forensics Staffing Cuts
Overtime Management and Trends
MDHR Settlement Agreement Funding Clarity
Votes (1)
Presentation and Discussion on Mayor's Recommended 2027 Minneapolis Police Department Budget
Dissent: Council Members Chavez, Wanssley, and Osman expressed strong concerns and dissent regarding MPD's historical budget overspending, lack of clear commitment to stay within the proposed 2027 budget, rationale for staffing cuts, and the cost-effectiveness of certain recruitment programs.
The Minneapolis Police Department presented its proposed 2027 budget, requesting $250 million, a 9% increase over 2026. Interim Chief Bill Peterson and his team outlined budget allocations by bureau (Public Safety, Professional Standards, Investigations and Forensics, Constitutional Policing) and expense categories, highlighting significant investments in recruitment pathways ($4.3M), overtime ($13.1M), and professional services ($3.1M). The department also addressed its divestment plan, proposing a net gain of 22 FTEs through increases in cadet/CSO programs and reductions in vacant non-sworn positions. Deputy Chiefs provided updates on reform efforts (Internal Affairs), crime statistics and investigation initiatives (Investigations), technology and wellness (Professional Standards), and patrol operations (Patrol and Special Operations). A major focus of the Q&A was MPD's historical overspending, particularly a $33 million overtime cost in 2025. Council members pressed for a firm commitment to stay within the 2027 budget and sought detailed breakdowns of spending, rationale for staffing cuts in investigations, and the cost-effectiveness of recruitment programs. MPD introduced new management controls, including an overtime tracking dashboard, to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability moving forward.
Notable Quotes (8)
Before we begin the meeting, I want to offer a friendly reminder to all members, staff, and the public that these meetings are broadcast live to enable greater public participation. These broadcasts include real-time captioning as a further method to increase the accessibility of our proceedings to the community. Therefore, all speakers need to be mindful of the rate of their speech so that our captioners can fully capture and transcribe all comments for the broadcast. We ask all speakers to moderate the speed and clarity of their comments.
The core mission of the MPD is protecting the safety and civil rights of every community member. To pursue that mission, we strive to work in partnership with the community to safeguard life, prevent crime, pursue justice, and foster trust with the communities we serve through lawful and procedurally just policing.
For 2027, the proposed 13.1 million overtime investments leverages additional 12 million in vacancy savings, establishing a total of 25.1 million to better align funding with current staffing levels and operational requirements. Taken together, these investments position us to stabilize staffing, rightsize the structure of the budget, and ensure department is resourced to meet both current and future operational demands.
So, I at least wanted to mention that today uh because we recently got a presentation that MPD went over its budget in 29 out of the 30 categories, meaning that overspending was more than just in overtime. So, for folks listening at home, overspending is not just in overtime.
Through the chair, council member Chavez, it is a goal as well as a commitment. Um, there are things that occur that we do not always have control over. I would say that the mayor's proposed budget of $25.1 million makes it much more possible to make it a commitment.
What was what can you share the rationale behind the choice to cut civilian positions from investigations and forensics when it's very clear that there's going to be a significant impact on outcomes for victims.
I would say there's an element of mismanagement in there as well in 2025. Yes.
Sir, I think you'll find a lot of people on this council who would uh be very willing to have that conversation with you about what should get cut and I think we look forward to having that conversation with you next year and in future years.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
The primary financial document under discussion for the Minneapolis Police Department
A key driver for police reform efforts and associated training and policies within MPD
Accountability policies slated for revision and department-wide training
City policy requiring departments to request council approval for appropriation changes, as referenced by Council Member Wanssley
Document laying the foundation for a revamped Field Training Officer program
Policy approved by ALIFA, with department-wide training completed and annual refreshers planned
Stops, Searches, Citations and Arrests policy approved by ALIFA, with training anticipated in early 2027
New policies approved by ALIFA to support officer well-being
Citywide protocol implemented in response to increasing domestic violence
A new tool developed with City IT to monitor bi-weekly overtime usage by category
A visual aid presented to show the relationship between sworn staff numbers and overtime hours worked
MPD policy limiting overtime to 160 hours per pay period, referenced by Council President Payne