Judge orders MPD to implement ‘structural changes’ as part of civil rights investigation

Monday, a Hennepin County judge issued an order that will require the Minneapolis Police Department to implement "structural changes" as a part of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ civil rights investigation.

The MDHR filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while in the custody of police. Video of the fatal arrest shows former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin with his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.

According to a release from the MDHR, the police department will have to implement a total of six new measures as a part of the ongoing investigation.

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The order bans the use of all neck restraints and choke holds, and also requires any officer at a scene to report another officer if they use unauthorized force. Officers will also be required to intervene if they observe an officer using unauthorized force.

The police chief or another designee will be the only person in the department who may approve crowd control weapons, including chemical agents, rubber bullets, flash-bangs and batons, according to the judge’s order.

The police chief will also be required to make "timely and transparent discipline decision for police officers."

Lastly, body camera experts and investigator’s with the city’s office of Police Conduct Review have the authority to audit camera footage and file complaints on behalf of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department.

If the department fails to comply with the order, penalties could be sought, according to the release from MDHR.

"Today’s court order will create immediate change for communities of color and Indigenous communities who have suffered generational pain and trauma as a result of systemic and institutional racism and long-standing problems in policing," said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero.