StoryStanding Committee Reports (Budget, Business/Housing/Urban Planning, Climate/Infrastructure, Labor Relations/Projects, Public Health/Safety/Equity)September 16, 2026

City Council Grapples with MPD Budget Overruns and Internal Affairs Backlog

Minneapolis officials raised serious concerns about police department spending and the significant delay in handling internal misconduct cases during recent standing committee meetings.

Published Sep 29, 2026

Minneapolis City Council members expressed strong disapproval this week over the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD) significant budget overspending and a severe backlog in internal affairs investigations during comprehensive standing committee reports. The discussions, which took place during the June 16, 2025, Budget Committee meeting, highlighted fiscal mismanagement and a breakdown in accountability within the department, prompting calls for immediate action and oversight.

The extent of the internal affairs backlog came under intense scrutiny as Council Member Chavez revealed alarming statistics. Of 266 total cases, 258 were delayed, including 55 historical backlogged cases and 23 non-compliant cases, leaving only eight investigations on schedule.

من إجمالي 266 قضية، تأخرت 258 قضية، منها 55 قضية متراكمة تاريخيًا بالإضافة إلى 23 قضية غير ملتزمة بالمعايير ، ولم يتبق سوى ثماني قضايا تسير وفق الجدول الزمني. هذا أمرٌ مُشين، وآمل أن تتم معالجته فورًا.
— Council Member Chavez

Deputy Chief Schamberger acknowledged the severity of the situation, assuring the committee that addressing these cases was a top priority. "تُعد هذه القضايا من أولوياتنا القصوى، لذا نبدأ بأقدم القضايا أولًا. لأننا نعلم أن هناك بعض القضايا البارزة، وبالتالي فإن عمل شركة جرانت ثورنتون سيركز على إعطاء الأولوية لتلك القضايا التي تُمثل أكبر قدر من المخاطر أو التي تُعد الأكثر أهمية من حيث سوء السلوك," said Deputy Chief Schamberger. Council Member Payne further elaborated on the supervisory review process, noting the distinction between rapid actions and administrative investigations, both requiring oversight that had been absent in many of the backlogged cases. Council Vice President Chughtai also questioned whether the backlog was primarily a staffing issue within the Internal Affairs division.

MPD Budget Overruns Draw Sharp Criticism

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Enter your email to receive updates.

We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Votes (2)

Contract with Grant Thornton for MPD Internal Affairs Supervisory Review

Approved

Moved by Unknown [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]

Deputy Chief Schamberger presented a request for a $2.03 million, two-year contract with Grant Thornton to assist the Minneapolis Police Department's Internal Affairs Division (IAD) in clearing a significant backlog of supervisory reviews for investigations. The backlog originated in 2020 with thousands of complaints, exacerbated by the 2024 implementation of a supervisory review process mandated by the Settlement Agreement, which IAD struggled to staff due to personnel changes and lack of experienced supervisors. The contract aims to address 266 cases requiring supervisory review, including 55 historical backlog cases dating from March 2024 and 203 non-compliant cases (exceeding 180-day timelines). Grant Thornton's scope includes conducting supervisory reviews and, if necessary, full administrative investigations. Council members expressed deep concern over the backlog's impact on justice for victims and the city's compliance with the MDHR settlement agreement, questioning legal liability and the department's internal capacity. The discussion also covered IAD staffing levels and the distinction between administrative investigations and expedited actions.

Legislative Directive 2026-00495: MPD Budget Overspending

Approved

Moved by Vice President Chughtai [Timestamp] · Seconded by Unknown [Timestamp]

The committee reviewed a 'Receive and File' item regarding a legislative directive on the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD) significant budget overspending. It was revealed that MPD overspent its 2025 budget by $21 million (10% of its allocation) across 29 out of 30 spending categories. Council members expressed profound disappointment and outrage at the fiscal mismanagement, noting issues like an under-budgeted overtime line, unbudgeted consent decree expenses, and the purchase of equipment (license plate readers, armored vehicle) without Council approval. A key point of contention was the absence of MPD or Community Safety Office representatives to answer questions, which Vice President Chughtai clarified was due to a directive from the Mayor's office. The City Attorney advised that while the Council can request information, it lacks direct legal authority to compel the Mayor to comply. Council members unanimously called for greater transparency, accountability, and a direct appearance by Mayor Frey to explain the budget discrepancies and future plans, especially in light of upcoming property tax increases and the search for a new Police Chief.

Notable Quotes (9)

من إجمالي 266 قضية، تأخرت 258 قضية، منها 55 قضية متراكمة تاريخيًا بالإضافة إلى 23 قضية غير ملتزمة بالمعايير ، ولم يتبق سوى ثماني قضايا تسير وفق الجدول الزمني. هذا أمرٌ مُشين، وآمل أن تتم معالجته فورًا.
— Council Member Chavez [Timestamp]

Contract with Grant Thornton for MPD Internal Affairs Supervisory Review

تُعد هذه القضايا من أولوياتنا القصوى، لذا نبدأ بأقدم القضايا أولًا. لأننا نعلم أن هناك بعض القضايا البارزة، وبالتالي فإن عمل شركة جرانت ثورنتون سيركز على إعطاء الأولوية لتلك القضايا التي تُمثل أكبر قدر من المخاطر أو التي تُعد الأكثر أهمية من حيث سوء السلوك.
— Deputy Chief Schamberger [Timestamp]

Contract with Grant Thornton for MPD Internal Affairs Supervisory Review

سواءً كان الإجراء سريعًا أو تحقيقًا إداريًا، فكلاهما يتطلب مراجعة إشرافية. في الحالات التي نتحدث عنها، لم يخضع أيٌّ منها لمراجعة إشرافية. التحقيق الإداري، من حيث الطول، يتراوح بين 20 و 150 صفحة. أما الإجراء السريع، فيتراوح بين 3 و 5 صفحات .
— Council Member Payne [Timestamp]

Contract with Grant Thornton for MPD Internal Affairs Supervisory Review

ما أحاول فهمه حقًا هو: هل هذا التراكم ناتج عن نقص في عدد الموظفين في قسم الشؤون الداخلية
— Vice President Chughtai [Timestamp]

Contract with Grant Thornton for MPD Internal Affairs Supervisory Review

Ordinances & Resolutions (32)

Legislative DirectiveOther

Relating to city contracts for Budget Committee

Liquor LicensePermit

Approved for Tropico Restaurant

OrdinanceOrdinance

Relating to Event Center Licenses

Liquor LicensesPermit

Approval of two new licenses and renewal of seven

Gambling LicensesPermit

Approval of two new licenses and renewal of three

Contract AmendmentOther

For Mill City Pizza project at Convention Center

Contract Amendment

THE MINNEAPOLIS RECORDER

City Council Grapples with MPD Budget Overruns and Internal Affairs Backlog

MPD Budget Overruns Draw Sharp Criticism

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Other Committee Actions and Approvals

Go deeper on this topic

Votes (2)

Notable Quotes (9)

Ordinances & Resolutions (32)

Was this story helpful?