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Latest on the Consent Decree: What to Know and Opportunities to Participate
On March 31, 2023, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) and the City of Minneapolis (City) filed a court enforceable agreement, also known as a consent decree, in state court.
While MDHR continues to be hard at work, there are some important opportunities for Minneapolis community members to participate in.
1) Submit Information to the Court
Hennepin County District Court Judge Janisch invites individuals, organizations, and any other interested parties to share their positions on the court enforceable agreement by submitting a "friend of the court” brief (called an amicus brief) to the court.
This is a legal document that tells Judge Janisch whether the interested party supports the court enforceable agreement.
Friday, June 23, 2023, is currently the deadline Judge Janisch set to submit information.
To submit this to the court, you will need to follow the process Judge Janisch laid out in her Order.
There is a process for getting the filing fee waived. Contact the help desk at the Government Center for assistance completing the forms seeking a fee waiver. The help desk offers support through email, Zoom appointments, and walk-ins but please plan for extra time to get this additional support if needed.
2) Judge Schedules Consent Decree Hearing for July 13
Hennepin County District Court Judge Janisch is holding a hearing about the court enforceable agreement.
At this hearing, MDHR and the City will explain why the Judge should enter the court enforceable agreement, which means that the City and MPD will be officially required, through court order, to implement the terms of the agreement and will be held accountable by the court.
The Judge invites anyone interested in participating to do so by submitting a brief – please review above. The Judge did not schedule time for members of the public to testify during this hearing.
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When: Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (Important: Judge Janisch may decide to change this date. Our website will have any updated information.)
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Where: Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Please remember you may have to go through security so plan for extra time. We will post the room location on our website.
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Why: This is the next step for the Judge to officially “enter the agreement” which means that the City and MPD will be officially required, through court order, to implement the terms of the agreement and will be held accountable by the court.
3) Monitor Applications Are Under Review and City will Host Community Meetings to Meet the Finalists
Currently, MDHR and the City are reviewing applications for the Independent Evaluator. Once selected, this team of experts will support the City and MPD, monitor their progress, engage with community members and police officers, and provide regular, public reports.
Meet the Finalists
After MDHR and the City pick the finalists, the City will host two community meetings for community members to meet the finalists. The finalists will share information about the members of their team and their proposed plan. Community members can ask the finalists questions.
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When: Likely July or August. Once the dates are finalized, MDHR will post updated information on when these meetings will occur on its website.
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Where: To be determined. Once the locations are finalized, MDHR will post updated information on where these meetings will occur on its website.
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Why: Building community trust and legitimacy are essential to addressing race-based policing and strengthening public safety. The court enforceable agreement is designed to facilitate and improved relationship between MPD and community members through increased transparency and public input. These public meetings are an opportunity to hear directly from community members any input on the potential teams that will serve as the Independent Evaluator to monitor the City and MPD for the years to come.
4) Department of Justice Investigation is Ongoing
The U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation is ongoing. As a reminder, MDHR enforces Minnesota state law and the Department of Justice enforces federal law and the U.S. Constitution.
As the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, MDHR welcomes our federal partners in the long work ahead in Minneapolis to address race-based policing and strengthen public safety.
More info can be found here.
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