Welcome to the Department of Civil Rights
This month’s Civil Rights Department Updates - Please share the information within your community!
As always, don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
Phone: (612) 673-3012 Website: Civil Rights - City of Minneapolis (minneapolismn.gov)
CCPO Ward 9 seat open
The Community Commission on Police Oversight is recruiting for an open seat for Ward 9. We invite residents of Ward 9 to apply.
Bi-annual Civil Rights update
Civil Rights Department Director Michelle Phillips and Deputy Director Kaela McConnon Diarra will present the bi-annual Civil Rights Update at the Minneapolis City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on May 21, 2025 at 1:30p.m. Watch the meeting with closed captioning on Comcast channel 14 or 799, the City's YouTube channel, or City Council TV.
Upcoming Commission meetings
Tonight - Community Commission on Police Oversight Special Meeting | May 13, 2025, 6:30p.m.
Public Service Building, Room 100
505 4th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55415
Agenda
Civil Rights Commission | May 19, 2025, 6:00p.m.
Public Service Building, Room 100
505 4th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55415
Agenda
Workplace Advisory Committee | June 9, 2025, 4:00p.m.
City Hall, Room 241
350 S. 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Community Commission on Police Oversight | June 9, 2025, 6:00p.m.
Public Service Center, Room 350
250 S. 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
North Star Leadership Award
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Earlier this month, our Deputy Director Kaela McConnon Diarra was awarded the North Star Award for leadership. The Star Awards are the City’s enterprise-wide employee recognition program. Kaela was recognized for her leadership and commitment to Civil Rights, justice and equity. |
Save the date!
The 2025 City of Minneapolis Trans Equity Summit has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, at the McNamara Alumni Center. The theme for this year’s event is “Trans Equity and Intergenerational Power: Strengthening the Future by Honoring Our Past.”
The City of Minneapolis and partners are planning the all-day, free event that provides space to connect on social, legal and health issues important to the transgender community.
The summit will include breakout sessions, a job and resource fair and healing justice offerings. Space will be protected for community care and collective witnessing for trans and gender non-conforming neighbors.
Bookmark this webpage and check back for updates.
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Welcome aboard
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Joseph Conner Micallef joined the Civil Rights Department as the new Management Analyst for the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department’s Office of Police Conduct Review (OPCR). Prior to joining the Civil Rights Department, Joseph worked as a policy analyst with the Oakland Office of the Inspector General, as well as a housing policy analyst with the Rockville Department of Housing and Community Development. He has a bachelor’s in public policy from Michigan State University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington in Seattle.
In Joseph's own words, "policing and public safety are necessary to a healthy and happy life and a failure to protect and serve the community is anathema to public safety, so I am excited to work to ensure the city of Minneapolis receives the highest-quality constitutional policing possible."
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Civil Rights Division updates
Contract Compliance Division (CCD)
CCD has been working closely with the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board (MPRB) on the upcoming North Commons Park project. At $45 million, the North Commons renovations represents the largest invents ever made in a neighborhood park. CCD is reviewing bid packages and setting SUBP goals in order to facilitate bidding opportunities for Minority and Women owned businesses on this historic project.
Complaint Investigations Division (CID)
Amendments the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance recently passes that will expand civil rights protections, barring discrimination against people on the basis of their height, weight, housing status or justice impacted status. Amendments also bolster existing protections and solidify existing Commission procedures. These amendments will go into effect on August 1, 2025. View the public hearing on the amendments.
Labor Standards Enforcement Division (LSED)
LSED was proud to see a case referred from Civil Rights to criminal prosecutors in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office result in the state’s first-ever felony wage theft conviction. This sent a powerful message and serves as a deterrent to anyone cheating the system, undercutting honest employers, and stealing wages from workers.
In April, LSED staff also recovered over $84,000 in damages from a large corporate fast food franchisee owner of Wendy’s restaurants. In this case, the division found several employees paid less than minimum wage and dozens more denied access to sick and safe time (paid sick leave). Sick workers preparing food is a problem for everyone. This employer also failed to maintain records or provide notice to employees regarding their benefits, terms of employment and rights. Settlement in this case included policy changes, training and notice in writing of employee rights under Minneapolis labor standards ordinances. 67 employees were paid back wages and damages.
Office of Police Conduct Review (OPCR)
On April 29, OPCR leadership presented on the Legislative Directive to the Council of the Whole, giving detailed updates on the complaint intake process, community engagement efforts, and the current progress made to clear the current backlog and prevent any future backlog of cases. Watch the OPCR presentation.
Currently, OPCR has completed investigative work on 71% of the backlog cases.
We're hiring!
Manager Grants and Community Engagement (closes 5/13/25)
Intake Coordinator | Complaint Investigations Division (closes 5/20/25)
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Divisions of the Civil Rights Department
Complaint Investigations Division: We work to prevent and prohibit discrimination in the City of Minneapolis. Contact CID at mdcrintake@minneapolismn.gov for more info or make a complaint of discrimination.
Office of Police Conduct Review: This neutral agency investigates allegations of police misconduct made to the City. Contact OPCR at policereview@minneapolismn.gov for more info or make a complaint of police misconduct.
Labor Standards Enforcement Division: We enforce the City’s Sick and Safe Time, Minimum Wage and Wage Theft ordinances. Contact LSED at sicktimeinfo@minneapolismn.gov for more info or report a minimum wage and labor violation.
Contract Compliance Division: We ensure that spending by contractors on City projects invests in equity and workers. Contact CCD at contractcompliance@minneapolismn.gov for more info.
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