Minneapolis City Council — Transcript
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Domestic Violence Response (MPD Policy 7314)
Duty to Intervene (MPD Policies 102-2, 401-9)
Equity, Dignity, and Respect in Policing (MPD Policies 5-101, 5-102, 5-104)
Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA)
Appointment of a New Police Chief
Votes (1)
Public Hearing on Minneapolis Police Department Policies and New Police Chief Selection Process
Moved by Paul Olson/Vice Chair, Community Police Oversight Committee [00:23:40] · Seconded by Unspecified Commissioner [00:23:55]
Vice Chair Paul Olson opened the special meeting, outlining the Community Police Oversight Committee's mandate to hold an annual public hearing on MPD policies and practices. He detailed five specific areas for public comment: domestic violence response (Policy 7314), duty to intervene (Policies 102-2, 401-9), equity, dignity, and respect in policing (Policies 5-101, 5-102, 5-104), the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and the selection of a new Police Chief. Commissioners Kennedy and Shanfield provided further details on the committee's prior resolution regarding the MGDPA and the chief selection process, respectively. Public speakers addressed these topics, sharing personal experiences, citing specific incidents (e.g., Alyssa Gomez, Mira Samuels, Jake Lang rally, Shoreline Towers shooting, ICE operations), and offering strong criticisms of MPD's conduct, accountability, and the need for cultural change. Concerns were raised about the lack of MPD intervention in certain situations, alleged assistance to ICE, transparency issues related to the MGDPA, and specific requirements for the new police chief, including de-escalation skills and financial oversight. The public comment period was extended from 3 to 5 minutes per speaker during the hearing.
Notable Quotes (12)
These broadcasts include simultaneous interpretation as an additional way to make our proceedings more accessible to the community. Therefore, all speakers should be mindful of their pace of speech so that interpreters can capture and record all comments for the broadcast in full.
The committee conducts a public hearing at least once annually to address the police department's specific policies, rules, practices and orders.
So I'm calling for an investigation into the failure to intervene and the policy must be followed.
The 12th Ward deserves a voice in our selection of the new police chief. Unfortunately, this means I'm calling for the resignation of Mr. Favreau.
They are very rigid on the cases where they don't want their errors to come out. So, this is a big issue and I think you all need to be aware of it.
The first and most important thing is culture change. We need a culture change in this MPD, desperately. This is what's been needed since day one, and the only person who should be in this position is someone who knows how to manage culture completely.
This is a state law that does not currently allow for disciplinary outcomes that result in guidance to be made public.
We believe that transparency in this process will make a huge difference in the long run.
Accountability cannot end with the report. It must result in change.
The police chief tenure is not that long, so don't look at them as making a radical change, which is what some in city administration are trying to convince you of.
The police fled the area. It was very common whenever ICE was around, police were nowhere to be found. And the fact that that chief is no longer here, we still have other command staff out in the field that made that call, and that needs to be investigated.
The point of these two concepts is that our next police chief should make de-escalation the number one tool used in their profession.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Local law that established the Community Police Oversight Committee and defines its functions.
Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) protocols and procedures for responding to and handling domestic violence information.
MPD policy outlining the moral and legal duty of officers to intervene to prevent undue harm, law violations, or policy breaches, specifically concerning excessive force by other law enforcement agencies.
MPD policy regarding non-intervention in federal civil immigration enforcement, with exceptions for human trafficking/smuggling or other criminal investigations, and defining duty to intervene against excessive force by federal agents.
MPD policy setting expectations for officers to act ethically.
MPD policy detailing obligations for officers' use of discretion, emphasizing public trust, law adherence, honesty, impartiality, courtesy, respect, and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
MPD policy related to fairness in policing practices, specifically concerning integrity, fairness, and impartiality.
State law that currently makes police disciplinary outcomes resulting only in 'guidance' or 'training' private, preventing public disclosure.
Minneapolis city ordinance prohibiting public safety personnel from taking action to enforce federal civil immigration laws, unless accompanied by other criminal behavior.
U.S. Supreme Court case establishing the 'objective reasonableness' standard for evaluating claims of excessive force by law enforcement officers, referenced by a public speaker.
A recent Minnesota Court of Appeals decision that addressed how 'discipline' is defined under the Government Data Practices Act, suggesting it should include remedial actions.
A resolution passed by the Community Police Oversight Committee earlier in the week, recommending changes to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and outlining recommendations for the police chief selection process.
A gunshot detection system whose recent report to the committee was questioned by a public speaker regarding follow-up and verification of incidents.
Body camera manufacturer; its settings for pre-event buffer time and audio recording were questioned by a public speaker.