U of M to limit collaboration with Minneapolis police after George Floyd’s death
[KSTP]
The University of Minnesota is distancing itself from the Minneapolis Police Department after George Floyd died while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers Monday night.
According to a letter sent to students and staff Wednesday from U of M President Joan Gabel, the university will no longer contract with Minneapolis Police for additional law enforcement at large events, such as football games, concerts and ceremonies, and also won’t use MPD when the university needs specialized services, like K-9 explosive detection units, at events.
"Our hearts are broken after watching the appalling video capturing the actions of Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers against George Floyd leading to his tragic death," Gabel wrote in the letter. "As a community, we are outraged and grief-stricken. I do not have the words to fully express my pain and anger and I know that many in our community share those feelings, but also fear for their own safety. This will not stand."
Gabel said the U of M’s collaboration with MPD will be limited to joint patrols and investigations that "directly enhance the safety of our community or that allow us to investigate and apprehend those who put our students, faculty, and staff at risk."
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