Minneapolis City Council votes 7-4 to establish community commission on police oversight
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The City of Minneapolis is overhauling the way it handles complaints against police officers.
The Minneapolis City Council voted 7-4 Tuesday night to approve an ordinance establishing a community commission on police oversight.
Two council members, Andrew Johnson and Lisa Goodman, left the meeting early and did not vote.
The new community commission on police oversight will have 15 members serving on review panels of five people, each comprised of three civilians and two sworn members of the Minneapolis Police Department.
The commission will look into complaints filed against police officers by members of the public. After reviewing those complaints, the members of the review panel will forward their findings and recommendations to the police chief.
The City of Minneapolis is overhauling the way it handles complaints against police officers.
However, the chief gets the final say on whether an officer should be disciplined. Chief Brian O’Hara leads the department after being sworn in last month.
RELATED: Minneapolis City Council to discuss police oversight plan during Thursday meeting
City Council President Andrea Jenkins called the ordinance a good faith effort that can be adjusted if needed.
“Is it perfect? No. Can it be improved? Absolutely, as with anything in life, and it is our duty to make it happen,” Jenkins said.
Critics of the ordinance have said the council acted too hastily and should have gotten more community input before bringing this to a vote.