Work group to go over Minneapolis charter amendment proposal amid police reform discussions

Tuesday, the city of Minneapolis’ newly-created public safety work group is expected to meet for the first time.

The meeting comes as police search for the person they say shot a 11-year-old after a reported road rage incident. It marks the second time a child was shot in that area within a week.

Police: 11-year-old shot in Minneapolis following road rage incident

A recent spike in violence has been seen as city leaders look at options to possibly change the structure of policing.

The work group’s main goal is to go over the charter amendment the city council recently laid out.

Minneapolis council advances charter amendment proposal in latest police reform move

If agreed upon, the amendment would be on the November ballot when Minneapolis residents vote.

A couple of Tuesday’s meeting goals include setting a timeline to keep the group on track, as well as going over the details that would change the way the city handles public safety, including creating a department of community safety and violence prevention and possibly removing the existing police department from the city charter.

That wouldn’t necessarily mean halting police operations, but it would make it easier to make those changes if city officials decided to go that route.

The work group will eventually have to present the amendment to the city charter commission for approval. That will be the final stop before it’s put to a public vote.

The group must finalize details by August 21 in order for it to get on the ballot.

Tuesday’s virtual meeting will take place at 4 p.m. and the first public hearing on the proposed changes will be next Wednesday.