WCCO Radio has confirmed that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has issued an executive order to codify and accelerate Minneapolis’ police reform efforts, following the Trump administration's recent dismissal of the decree which was approved by a federal judge.
Despite the federal government's retreat, the city is moving forward, reaffirming what they say is a commitment to community-driven, transparent, and lasting police reform.
Under the order, the city attorney will identify all reform items from the consent decree that are not already included in or conflicting with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement.
In May, President Donald Trump's Department of Justice and that agency's Civil Rights Division asked to dismiss police-accountability agreements with the Minneapolis Police Department. They also proposed dismissing a similar suit against the Louisville Police Department that came in the wake of killings by officers in those cities, including George Floyd who was killed by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin five years ago.
The excutive order by Frey also asks the city attorney to advise on how to allow an independent watchdog of the state’s settlement to also monitor the implementation of these terms.
The order will require full cooperation from city leaders and employers in making the changes first laid out in the agreement.
The executive order by Frey bypasses any approval from the Minneapolis City Council and can be rescinded by a future mayor.