Judge suspends Minnesota’s tougher standards on deadly force

A judge has halted part of a sweeping police accountability law that followed the death of George Floyd.

The Ramsey County judge paused the law that changed how police officers defend the use of deadly force.

For now, the old law takes effect.

Several law enforcement lobbying groups filed a legal challenge to the stricter standards. The new standards, passed by the 2020 DFL-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate, would mean that officers have less leeway when it comes to use of force in the field. Gov. Tim Walz then signed it into law.

Earlier this summer, several law enforcement groups filed a legal challenge to get the law thrown out or at least suspended until more officers can be trained on the new expectations.

The judge says his suspension will last at least until the lawsuit is complete.

Attorney Mike Padden says all this back and forth is reflective of the conflicted feelings surrounding the role of law enforcement after Floyd’s death.

"It’s a tough question," Padden said. "There are people who will say this is a good thing and provided better protection for citizens. Others say when you take away the rights of the officers, they are going to be less able to make difficult decisions in the field and that could adversely affect public safety."

Briefing and oral arguments in the case are expected to take place within the next 60 days.

---

RELATED: Watch the 5 INVESTIGATES series "Policing the Blue" that looks at the federal investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department through the eyes of the people of Albuquerque. To see the previous installments in the series, click here to watch Part I, click here to watch Part II, click here to watch Part III, and click here to watch Part IV.