A settlement has been reached over the alleged mistreatment of media members during the civil unrest following George Floyd's murder.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota State Patrol have agreed to several changes under terms of a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union.
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“We are grateful that the State Patrol worked with us to craft an agreement that provides for meaningful change at the agency that breathes new life into the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and freedom of the press that protects journalists working in Minnesota,” said attorney Kevin Riach. “The agreement is an important first step in ensuring that the media can do its job here without fear of arrest or violent reprisal from law enforcement, just as the Constitution provides.”
According to the department, the agreement includes additional training for state troopers, policy changes, and an independent external review of all internal affairs cases related to the alleged mistreatment of media by state troopers in May of 2020 and April of 2021.
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The MN DPS must also pay $825,000 to the ACLU, which includes attorneys' fees. The settlement only involves the state of Minnesota and admits no liability.
Litigation with the city of Minneapolis, former police chief Medaria Arradondo, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson continues.