On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council voted 8 to 5 to approve a contract with the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis.
The contract will now provide Minneapolis police officers with pay increases, granting the department roughly $9 million in funds, including $7,000 bonuses for officers.
Council President Andrea Jenkins was one of the eight votes approving the contract, and she shared that she voted yes because now wasn't the time to vote no.
"At this point in the negotiation, voting down the contract to me seemed like a symbolic gesture, and this is not the moment for that symbolism," Jenkins said.
However, those who opposed approving the contract said it fails to address many of the disciplinary changes local activists are seeking.
Councilmember Robin Wonsley Worlobah shared that approving this contract is doing one thing, setting the bar too low.
"This does not set us up to attract the best-qualified candidates for law enforcement," Worlobah said. "We're literally saying, 'Please anybody come work for us. We're going to pay you more, but you will not have to face any discipline.'"
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shared his support for the new police contract at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
At the same time, Frey acknowledged the contract doesn't accomplish all he wants it to, saying when you enter negotiations, "you don't get all of the things you want."
"Is this contract perfect? No, it's not," Frey said. "That is the nature of a negotiation."
However, Frey said he does think that this contract, and the pay increases and bonuses included, will help the city attract and retain the best candidates.
"I think this is an important step forward in order to make sure we have the right elements in place to improve our recruiting over the next several years," Frey said.
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