Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board unanimously votes to sever ties with Minneapolis Police Department
Three police involved in Thursday night's rescue at Minnehaha Regional Park.[KSTP/Eric Chaloux]
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) unanimously has voted to sever ties with the Minneapolis Police Department Wednesday night.
The resolution will cease the use of Minneapolis Police officers to staff park events and stop Park Police from responding to Minneapolis Police Department calls.
The resolution will also provide "a plan for alternative event safety" by August 1. The plan is expected to be presented to the board of commissioners on June 17.
"The MPRB is committed to ensuring that everyone in Minneapolis feels safe in our communities," Board President Jono Cowgill said in a statement. "The unanimous actions by Commissioners Wednesday are a start to building a holistic approach to public safety that moves beyond police and towards restorative community justice."
Meanwhile, park police uniforms and vehicles will be redesigned "in the interest of providing clear distinction of who MPRB Police Officers are," the agency states.
Several other organizations have already cut ties with the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of the officer-involved homicide of George Floyd on Memorial Day.
The University of Minnesota said they are scaling back their relationship with MPD as has Minneapolis Public Schools.