Minneapolis Council Advances Police Reform Efforts Through Consent Decree Subcommittee
The Committee of the Whole reviewed critical progress on the city's Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree, approving key contracts for police training and investigatory services.
The Minneapolis City Council's Committee of the Whole convened on June 9th, 2026, to address a range of city business, with a significant portion of the discussion centered on the ongoing implementation and oversight of the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree. The meeting saw council members deliberate on contract amendments crucial for police reform, as presented by the dedicated Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Subcommittee.
Council Member Jameson Whiting, Chair of the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Subcommittee, underscored the profound origins of the body during the meeting. "this committee was born out of a deeply painful chapter in our city's history following the murder of George Floyd in 2020," Whiting stated, highlighting the subcommittee's pivotal role in the city’s healing and reform process.
Our job here is to track the city's progress, ensure transparency for the public, and approve the necessary resources and contracts that make this reform work possible.
The subcommittee’s responsibilities, as articulated by Chair Whiting, include meticulous progress tracking, upholding public transparency, and sanctioning the resources and contracts essential for achieving the stipulated reforms. This commitment was demonstrated through the review of several contract amendments related to police training and internal investigations.
Enhancing MPD Training Services
A key item on the agenda was the amendment to the MPD Training Services Contract. Commander Chris Brown of the training division provided insights into the strategic integration of training modules. He emphasized a holistic approach to officer education, particularly in the areas of stop, search, and citation arrest, alongside non-discriminatory policing.
So, stop, search, and citation arrest and non-discriminatory policing early on in the position that I I carry as a commander of the training division. I I felt that, um, you you couldn't I think they were intrinsically together, meaning you can't teach stop, search, citation, arrest without incorporating all of the aspects of non-discriminatory policing.
Commander Brown outlined the next steps for this crucial training, noting that Exceptional Edge will conduct a 'train the trainer' program based on lesson plans approved by the Law Enforcement Education and Resource Center (LEAF) and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). MPD instructors, supported by the City Attorney's office, will then deliver the training. The anticipated completion date for this comprehensive training program is the Spring of 2027, with the current contract extended until December 2027. A second police academy is also slated to begin on June 1st, with a third commencing in October, indicating a continuous commitment to officer development.
Strengthening Investigatory Services
Furthering the commitment to accountability, the committee also considered an amendment to the MPD Internal Affairs Investigatory Services Contract. Commander Ralph Marstrom, who leads the Force Investigation Team (FIT) within the MPD, explained the team's critical function: conducting reviews and audits of all force incidents within the city.
We use DLG the consulting group to help supplement our workload as right now we just do not have the staffing to accommodate the number of uh uh of um quality assurance reviews that we need to complete every year.
Commander Marstrom highlighted the current challenges faced by FIT, specifically a shortage in staffing that necessitates external support. To ensure that the required number of quality assurance reviews are completed annually, the team utilizes DLG, a consulting group, to supplement their workload. An extension of the 'first response actors' contract, estimated at $103,300, was also discussed to support ongoing training scenarios. These approvals underscore the city's sustained investment in both proactive training and robust post-incident review mechanisms, critical components of the federal consent decree and the broader police reform agenda.
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Areas of Interest (8)
- City council members grapple with agenda amendments and procedural matters, highlighting the complexity of legislative processes.
- The decision on special assessments for the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue reconstruction project, linked to the George Floyd murder, raises questions about community investment and equitable recovery.
- Significant discussion surrounds the deletion of Brian O'Hara's nomination for Police Chief, signaling potential shifts in law enforcement leadership and accountability.
- The establishment and purpose of the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Subcommittee underscore the ongoing efforts and challenges in reforming the Minneapolis Police Department.
- Contract amendments for MPD training services and investigatory services point to sustained investment in police reform and accountability mechanisms, with questions about staffing and effectiveness.
- Details surrounding the 'Big Honking Truck Parade' event permit and associated city fiscal support raise questions about public event funding and sponsorship.
- The review of numerous committee reports reveals a wide range of city business, from public works projects and housing initiatives to public safety and grants, showcasing the breadth of municipal governance.
- Discussion around the 'Heritage Park' legislative directive suggests potential inter-committee collaboration and future policy development.
Notable Quotes (23)
Let the record reflect that we have a quorum.
So, it's important that all speakers 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 please moderate the speed and clarity of their comments.
Without objection, I would like to move to amend the agenda by adding an honorary resolution regarding gun violence awareness month. Is there a second?
Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Chair. The ELR committee intends to bring 12 items forward to full counsel.
Thank you, Chair Chowry. The business, housing, and zoning committee will be bringing 18 items on Thursday council meeting.
I would just like to pull um that item for um discussion. And I would also like to appoint the legislative directives to the appropriate committees that support it as well.
So I guess the goal will be here to at full council amend that legislative directive to then say to report back to the relevant committee so that way it can go to business housing and zoning and PHSSE in the future.
I think we should move forward with the legislative directive with the current scope of it so that we keep that timeline going forward and I think it's smart to just kind of reflect that we want to have some of this content shared in the various committees that do have relevant information.
Thank you, Chair Chargerie. The CNI committee has 17 items to bring forward.
So this project has been buil uh the community as something that is being done to invest in the community in response to this murder even though the uh the planning for this project began back in 2018. And so this project is not like any other street reconstruction project. The community has undergone incredible uh hardship leading into this and um I in on Thursday we should uh deny points one and two uh in order to come up with a different way which we have a different way of paying for these assessments because this is not the typical u street reconstruction project. This is something uh totally different entirely.
Uh I just wanted to also inform my colleagues there was a memo or staff memo request made in regards to the big honking truck parade; and that is currently in your inbox in terms of who's sponsoring it.
The public health safety and equity committee will be bringing forward 10 items.
So yeah. So Chair Chry in the public health safety and equity committee, there was a motion to delete item number two, which is the mayor's nomination of Brian O'Hara to be the position of police chief. that was voted to be deleted from the agenda. I just want to clarify ahead of Thursday's council meeting that if we still need to take that vote again or if the committee deleting it deletes it because it's still on this.
It will have to be fully deleted at council because committees just send the recommendation to council. So, it'll be have to be fully at council on Thursday.
The budget committee will be bringing forward two items.
This morning, the IGR committee received one item for Thursday's council meeting.
this committee was born out of a deeply painful chapter in our city's history following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Our job here is to track the city's progress, ensure transparency for the public, and approve the necessary resources and contracts that make this reform work possible.
So, stop, search, and citation arrest and non-discriminatory policing early on in the position that I I carry as a commander of the training division. I I felt that, um, you you couldn't I think they were intrinsically together, meaning you can't teach stop, search, citation, arrest without incorporating all of the aspects of non-discriminatory policing.
Exceptional Edge is going to be doing a train the trainer on the on the approved polic lesson plans once they're approved by LEAF and MDHR. And they'll also be working alongside um uh the instructors as which is going to be MPD instructors as well as uh city attorney's office will be assisting in the in the delivery of the training.
The cost of the estimated cost would be an extension of uh the $103,300.
The role of the force investigation team is we conduct reviews and audits of all the force incidents that happen in the city.
We use DLG the consulting group to help supplement our workload as right now we just do not have the staffing to accommodate the number of uh uh of um quality assurance reviews that we need to complete every year.
People (25)
Orne ChowryChair of the CommitteeChaired the committee meeting and called it to order.
Chaired the committee meeting and called it to order.
PayneCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present.
Attended the meeting and was present.
WsleyCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present.
Attended the meeting and was present.
RainvilleCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Vice chair of the Intergovernmental Relations committee.
Attended the meeting and was present. Vice chair of the Intergovernmental Relations committee.
VitaCouncil MemberAbsent from the meeting, but later joined.
Absent from the meeting, but later joined.
WarrenCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Requested to pull an item for discussion.
Attended the meeting and was present. Requested to pull an item for discussion.
OsmanCouncil MemberAbsent from the meeting, but later joined. Chair of the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee.
Absent from the meeting, but later joined. Chair of the Business, Housing and Zoning Committee.
SchaeferCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Vice chair of the Budget Committee.
Attended the meeting and was present. Vice chair of the Budget Committee.
StevensonCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Spoke against the assessment for the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue reconstruction project.
Attended the meeting and was present. Spoke against the assessment for the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue reconstruction project.
ChavezCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Chair of the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee.
Attended the meeting and was present. Chair of the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee.
WhitingCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present. Chair of the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Subcommittee.
Attended the meeting and was present. Chair of the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree Subcommittee.
PalmisanoCouncil MemberAttended the meeting and was present.
Attended the meeting and was present.
ChaiVice ChairAbsent from the meeting due to a pressing matter in her ward.
Absent from the meeting due to a pressing matter in her ward.
Robin WanleyCouncil MemberMentioned in the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report for a gift acceptance.
Mentioned in the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee report for a gift acceptance.
Palm HanoCouncil MemberChaired the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee.
Chaired the Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee.
Steven MorrisN/ASubject of a workers compensation claim mentioned in the ELR report.
Subject of a workers compensation claim mentioned in the ELR report.
Tracy TurbullN/ASubject of a workers compensation claim mentioned in the ELR report.
Subject of a workers compensation claim mentioned in the ELR report.
WanssleyCouncil MemberChaired the Climate and Infrastructure Committee. Informed colleagues about a memo regarding the Big Honking Truck Parade.
Chaired the Climate and Infrastructure Committee. Informed colleagues about a memo regarding the Big Honking Truck Parade.
George FloydN/AHis murder at 38th and Chicago was referenced in discussions about the street reconstruction project.
His murder at 38th and Chicago was referenced in discussions about the street reconstruction project.
Brian O'HaraN/AMayor's nomination for Police Chief, deleted from the agenda.
Mayor's nomination for Police Chief, deleted from the agenda.
Katie TopinkaInterim Deputy City Operations OfficerWill attend the Strive Together 2026 Policy Summit and City Accelerator Cohort Meetings.
Will attend the Strive Together 2026 Policy Summit and City Accelerator Cohort Meetings.
Jameson WhitingChairIntroduced the subcommittee and its purpose.
Introduced the subcommittee and its purpose.
Chris BrownCommanderProvided information on MPD training services and roleplaying scenario training contracts.
Provided information on MPD training services and roleplaying scenario training contracts.
MarkstromCommanderProvided information on investigatory services contract for the Force Investigation Team.
Provided information on investigatory services contract for the Force Investigation Team.
Ralph MarstromCommanderCommander of the Force Investigation Team within the Minneapolis Police Department.
Commander of the Force Investigation Team within the Minneapolis Police Department.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (8)
- June 9th, 2026, Regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole
- Thursday (upcoming council meeting)
- June 18, 2026, Big Honking Truck Parade event
- June 12th, 2026, 612 days block event
- Spring of 2027, Anticipated completion date for training
- December 2027, Contract extension for training services
- June 1st, Start of second police academy
- October (upcoming), Third police academy starts
Ordinances & Resolutions (3)
Regarding Gun Violence Awareness Month
Related to Heritage Park
Related to law enforcement agency agreements
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Reports of Standing Committees
Gun Violence Awareness Month Resolution
Enterprise and Labor Relations Committee Items
Business, Housing and Zoning Committee Items
Climate and Infrastructure Committee Items
Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee Items
Budget Committee Items
Intergovernmental Relations Committee Items
MPD Training Services Contract Amendment
MPD Roleplaying Scenario Training Contract Amendment
MPD Internal Affairs Investigatory Services Contract Amendment
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