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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will no longer be using the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) for support at events in parks. In addition, Park Police will refrain from providing support to MPD in nonviolent incidents. In the interest of providing clear distinction of who MPRB Police Officers are, MPRB will be transitioning officer uniforms and vehicles to green.
“The MPRB is committed to ensuring that everyone in Minneapolis feels safe in our communities. The unanimous actions by Commissioners Wednesday are a start to building a holistic approach to public safety that moves beyond police and towards restorative community justice,” said Board President Jono Cowgill.
On Wednesday, June 3, MPRB Commissioners unanimously approved Resolutions 232 and 233:
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Resolution 232 includes ceasing use of Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers at staff park-sanctioned events, providing a plan for alternative event safety by August 1, and instituting a moratorium on Park Police supporting or responding to any MPD calls for backup in non-violent incidents. The resolution was amended to include no end date to the moratorium and for a safety plan to be presented to the Board of Commissioners on June 17.
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Resolution 233 calls for the redesign of Park Police uniforms and vehicles in a way that distinguishes them from MPD uniforms and vehicles and emphasizes to the public that the primary mission of Park Police is to police the parks in Minneapolis. The resolution, which was amended to state the redesign will feature green as a primary color, calls for staff to bring a recommended redesign and cost estimate before the Board of Commissioners on or about October 1.
At Wednesday’s Board meeting Superintendent Al Bangoura shared a statement about the killing of George Floyd and the MPRB’s response.
“On Monday, May 25, a Minneapolis Police Officer kneeled on the neck of George Floyd killing him. We all watched in shock, yet another senseless and tragic death. I was angered, devastated and heartbroken. I offer my prayers and deepest condolences to George Floyd’s family and friends,” stated Superintendent Bangoura. “The black community and many throughout the city of Minneapolis and nation are experiencing a profound sense of sadness and pain while seeking justice for Mr. Floyd. I stand in solidarity with those seeking justice as does the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. We denounce racism in all forms, and we support and promote justice.”
Bangoura spoke of the videos showing Mr. Floyd’s death, the other MPD officers on the scene, and a Park Police squad car arriving and parking near the MPD squad cars.
“Our officer’s location was across the street from the incident and partially down the block, almost 120 feet away. He was monitoring a vehicle and two individuals being detained by MPD. As can be seen in his bodycam footage that we’ve made public, parked vehicles and moving traffic prevented our Park Police officer from directly seeing what the former MPD officers were doing to Mr. Floyd,” said Bangoura.
According to Cowgill and Bangoura, the MPRB needs to continue its work in advancing racial equity, acknowledging there is a lot of work to do locally and across the nation to confront racism and human oppression.
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