Several Minneapolis City Council members are voicing concerns about a proposal to approve more than $15 million for the Minneapolis Police Department to help recruit and retain new officers.
The city already reached a tentative agreement with the police union, but on Tuesday, council members voted to keep the item off of the day’s budget committee agenda.
Council member Latrisha Vetaw questioned her fellow council members about the decision.
“I just don’t think this council is taking how serious this issue is with the pace we’re losing officers. We’ve already lost 66 officers this year, and we’re expecting a lot more next year,” Vetaw said.
The agreement also includes $18 million in bonuses to help retain current officers.
Council member Lisa Goodman discussed the move to move out the measure, saying, “A vote to keep it off the agenda is a vote against the issue itself.”
Council member Jamal Osman says that the measure would not “save lives,” noting that places of worship, public transit, and other areas in the city that are unsafe should instead receive the funding.
The tentative agreement is expected to be considered at the Budget Committee meeting on Dec. 5.
