Newly released documents from the Minneapolis Police Department show that after the civil unrest following George Floyd’s death, almost a dozen officers were suspended, fired, or reprimanded for misconduct during the riots.
The documents were shared as police officials are taking their time releasing disciplinary reports from the department’s response to the protests and riots following Floyd’s death at the hands of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin.
The unsealed reports on the department’s disciplinary action were shared to its dashboard dedicated to disciplinary decisions.
Among the actions that pertain to the 2020 unrest included an assault by police on Jaleel Stallings on May 30, 2020.
The report showed some of the reasons why Officer Justin Stetson was fired for his interactions with Stallings, an army veteran. According to the report, Stallings, who had his permit to carry a gun, had fired three shots at an unmarked police van after Stetson had shot him with a 40 mm “less lethal” round.
That night, Stetson and his fellow officers were enforcing a curfew, and when Stallings realized they were police, he dropped his gun, laid on the ground, and did not resist police action. Despite this, Stetson kicked Stallings in the head and punched him numerous times, the report noted.
Then-interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman said that Stetson used “unreasonable force,” which could have caused “even more grave” injuries.
After a court battle, Stallings was paid $1.5 million in a settlement from the city after he was acquitted of an attempted murder charge, and Stetson pleaded guilty to assault.
Other disciplinary actions included in the recently released documents detailed a 120-hour suspension for Officer Tyler Klund, who reportedly kicked Stallings and punched a man who was with him that night in the head. He also failed to turn on his body camera during the interactions.
Officers Michael Pfaff and Michael Osbeck were also suspended for 80 hours for their interaction with the other man with Stallings, including Pfaff using his Taser on him nine times in under 60 seconds.
Minneapolis city leaders received an 86-page after-action report this week that detailed 27 recommendations given to the department on how mistakes that happened in 2020 would not be repeated.
Mayor Jacob Frey said the department has completed the work necessary, hitting its emergency management goals.
“I’m proud to say as of today, of the 27 recommendations that were issued, all 27 have been met,” Frey said.