Minneapolis city council today voted to eliminate the police department's communications division. Those duties will now move to the city communications starting in October. Councilmember Steve Fletcher says it's a small change, but a significant step forward for Minneapolis.
"Our city is at risk of going under. Under the costs of sitting still, under the unintended consequences of sitting still. Under the circumstances of being sued over the practices of our police department, of being sued for the access of information from our police department."
The vote was nine-to-three in favor of transferring all police communications to the city's communications department. The three dissenting votes came from Councilmembers Andrea Jenkin, Lisa Goodman and Linea Palmisano. Jenkins says this just adds to the existing burden on a stretched communications staff.
"Moving this does not add capacity, in fact, it adds more responsibility without really addressing strengthening the communications department at all."
Part of this change means that Minneapolis Police spokesperson John Elder's position will be eliminated.
The Minnesota Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has spoken out against this proposal, saying that the needed transparency around the taxpayer-funded public safety and law enforcement will not be able to be handled by the cities communications team.
The change takes effect in October.
