 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Police Chief Brian O’Hara, and other City leaders reiterated their commitment to continuing police reform work already underway, despite the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to dismiss the consent decree case more than four months after an agreement was reached and just days before the five-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.
On January 6, the City entered into a proposed DOJ Consent Decree, outlining policy, resource and training requirements that would, together with the settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR), continue to guide the City’s and Minneapolis Police Department’s (MPD) reform efforts over the next several years.
After requesting and being granted three consecutive 30-day stays of the court proceedings, the DOJ filed a motion to dismiss the case on May 21. The decision on whether to dismiss the case or let it proceed now lies with a federal judge. Regardless of the outcome, the City of Minneapolis’s path remains clear – to continue to implement the reforms, apparently without support from the White House. Read the full story on the City's website.
As the City of Minneapolis prepares to mark five years since the murder of George Floyd, new findings from the independent evaluator Effective Law Enforcement for ALL (ELEFA) show that Minneapolis is not only moving forward with police reform—it’s positioning itself to become a national leader in it.
Covering the period from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, ELEFA’s second semi-annual report—and its first full-year assessment—shows Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) have made “more progress toward building a foundation for sustainable reform in the first year of monitoring than nearly any other jurisdiction” operating under a court-ordered reform agreement.
ELEFA’s report highlights several key policy areas that have received final approval, are near final approval, or are under development as the City works toward meeting full compliance with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) Settlement Agreement, signed in 2023. This includes, among others:
- Near elimination of OPCR and IA historical misconduct complaint backlog – all are now in process with 30 complaints closed as of March 31.
- Completing a comprehensive training needs assessment and developing a highly regarded annual training plan that ELEFA notes could serve as a model for other law enforcement agencies
- Developing and updating key policies around Use of Force, mission/vision/values/goals, crisis intervention, and other areas.
- Incorporating significant resident feedback and input into new and revised policies
- Expanding officer training programs
- Laying groundwork for improvements to facilities and data systems Designating 21 officers to serve as peer support members, providing mentorship, outreach and emotional support to officers who may need assistance
The second semi-annual report is available on ELEFA’s website, ELE4A.org. Read the full story on the City's website.
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One of Minneapolis Fire Department’s very own has been named Investigator of the Year by his peers across the state
 MNIAAI President Brian Whitmore (left) presents Minneapolis Fire Investigator Andrew Moe (right) with the Investigator of the Year Award on May 16.
Andrew Moe was given the prestigious recognition by the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (MNIAAI) at its annual conference on May 16. The award is presented to an active member of MNIAAI who has shown outstanding achievement through the use of professional expertise in the field of fire investigation. The award is not “case specific” and can be awarded to an individual that continues to provide professional levels of service to both the chapter and the field of fire investigation.
The Minneapolis Fire Department employs some of the finest and most professional Fire Investigators in the industry,” said Fire Chief Bryan Tyner. “The recognition of Fire Investigator Andrew Moe as Investigator of the Year by his peers at the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators is well deserved and a testament to what we as a department have long believed about the abilities of Fire Investigator Moe and the entire Minneapolis Fire Investigation Team.”
The Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators is a non-profit professional association benefiting public officials and private individuals engaged in the investigation and control of arson and related crimes.
Congratulations, Fire Investigator Moe, and thank you for your outstanding service!
 Bureau Chief Ayodele Famudo (center) answers a reporter's question during a May 19 press conference, as MPD Chief Brian O'Hara (left) and Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin (right) look on.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara introduced Ayodele Famodu as Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau and Ganesha Martin as Chief of the Constitutional Policing Bureau.
“This is really an important and historic step as we move forward, bringing in non-sworn, professional leadership at this level marks not only progress, but it also ensures that we will be more responsive, more transparent, and more inclusive as we try and meet the community's needs,” said O’Hara. “These are truly exceptional individuals who will help us raise the bar in the Minneapolis Police Department”
Bureau Chief Ayodele Famodu
Bureau Chief Famodu will oversee all internal investigations and guide the Internal Affairs Division, Force Investigations Team, and Candidate Investigations in maintaining the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and professional conduct. She brings a significant background in public services and legal expertise. Famodu most recently served as Assistant Attorney General for Minnesota. She has also been Consent Decree Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Human Right, felony prosecutor at the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, Hennepin County Public Defender, medical malpractice defense attorney, and Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. Famodu also served in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps prior to her legal career, retiring in 2023 after distinguished service.
Bureau Chief Ganesha Martin
Bureau Chief Martin is a nationally recognized expert in constitutional policing and community engagement, and her leadership has been highlighted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and other notable organizations. She has an extensive background in strategic leadership, policy development, and community engagement. In Baltimore, she served as Chief of Staff to the Baltimore Police Commissioner, Director of Legislative Affairs, Chief of the Community Engagement Bureau, and Chief of Compliance, Accountability, and External Affairs. Martin also served as Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Emergency Management and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice under two different mayoral administrations, guiding the Baltimore Police Department through federal Consent Decree compliance from 2015 to 2018.
 The murder of George Floyd and the events of 2020 ignited a movement and changed Minneapolis forever. Five years later, the City of Minneapolis reflects on its path of reform and racial healing.
We understand that progress requires both accountability and deep community engagement. We invite you to learn more about our progress, our challenges and our commitment to doing better for the people of our city:
 The Minneapolis Health Department and Hennepin County partnered to install the City’s first NARCAN® (naloxone) vending machine on the Northside. This life-saving resource expands access to the opioid overdose-reversing drug.
Located at Fire Station 14 (2002 Lowry Ave. N.), this is the second vending machine in the city. The vending machine:
- Provides 24-hour access.
- Contains more than 100 boxes of NARCAN, each holding two doses.
- Is free to community members with no barriers.
Fire Station 14 also serves as the City’s Safe Station. This space is where people struggling with addiction and substance misuse can be connected with resources, such as peer recovery specialists.
The Health Department began the NARCAN vending machine pilot program last July, launching the City’s first NARCAN vending machine at Fire Station 21 (3209 E. 38th St.). Through April, more than 1,700 boxes have been dispensed. Read the full story on the City's website.
 911 Dispatchers Katrina Neff and Lori Patrick receive their Civilian's Department Award of Merit plaques from MPD Chief Brian O'Hara.
The City of Minneapolis is proud of its first responders – Police, Fire, 911, Neighborhood Safety and Emergency Management - who navigate emergency situations to protect it residents and save lives.
Two 911 Dispatchers were formally recognized by the Police Department for their exceptional investigative work on May 30, 2024, in the critical incident that resulted in the killing of Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell.
Katrina Neff and Lori Patrick were given the Department Award of Merit at the MPD Award Ceremony held on April 30. During this critical incident, the radio traffic was at times frantic and difficult to understand, with numerous victims spread across a large, chaotic scene and information flowing into the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center from multiple 911 callers. Officers from different precincts responding on separate radio channels further complicated communication.
“Despite these immense challenges, dispatchers Laurie Patrick and Katrina Neff remained calm, organized, and highly effective, relaying vital information quickly and accurately,” said Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “They must manage the emotions of hearing familiar voices in distress over the air, while maintaining steady composure to support those in the field. Without the superior communication skills, professionalism and attention to detail demonstrated by Laurie Patrick and Katrina Neck Neff, the outcome could have been even more tragic.”
The Award of Merit may be awarded to any MPD employee or civilian for an outstanding act of achievement that brings credit to the MPD. It involves performance above and beyond what is required of the employee’s basic work assignment or exceptional professional skill and conduct during a coordination action or call for service. The award may also be awarded to any MPD employee for exceptional investigative work that brings credit to the MPD Civilian department.
Thank you, Katrina and Lori, for your outstanding work in the midst of tragedy and for keeping the people of Minneapolis and its first responders safe!
The 2025 Hennepin County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held this Friday, May 23, on the Fourth Street side of Minneapolis City Hall.
Hosted this year by the Minneapolis Police Department, this ceremony honors county and local law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty since 1884. This year’s ceremony will include the addition of MPD Officer Jamal Mitchell’s banner to the Minneapolis Police Line of Duty Death Flag. Officer Mitchell died in the line of duty May 30, 2024.
Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
Noon-1 p.m.
Friday, May 23
Outside Minneapolis City Hall, Fourth Street side
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What can the safety center do for you? Whether you're a resident or worker or connected to a local business, learn about what the Lake Street Safety Center offers Tuesday, June 10. Meet the community service providers who work out of the center. Learn about the helpful services and resources available – right here in the East Lake Street neighborhood.
At the center
The Lake Steet Safety Center serves as a collaborative space of government and community-based services and resources. It offers services including:
- K-12 school enrollment and education-related resources.
- Resources for victims or survivors of crimes.
- Help with safety concerns or resolving conflicts.
- Housing services, like rental help or rapid rehousing.
- Support recovering from substance use disorder.
- Resources for the area’s businesses and property owners, like help with graffiti issues, lighting concerns, and registering security cameras.
- Connecting to social services and case managers.
- Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips are always available at the safety center – no questions asked. Pick up these resources to protect yourself and others.
We’ll have tables set up outside the center so you can stop by, ask questions, and find out how to connect with these services during regular office hours.
At the open house
- Learn how you can file non-emergency police reports at the center.
- Find out more about the City’s brand new Community Safety Ambassador pilot program in the Lake Street area.
- Learn about other walk-in support services and readily available resources at the center.
Lake Street Safety Center open house
3-6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10
2228 E. Lake St.
Flyers are available in English, Español and Af-Soomaali.
Learn more about the Lake Street Safety Center on the City’s website.
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Minneapolis firefighters will have an important health check in June 2025.
United Diagnostic Services (UDS) will be providing members of the Minneapolis Fire Department noninvasive, ultrasound- based screenings of nine essential organs: heart, carotid arteries, aortic aneurysm, thyroid, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, gallbladder, pelvic for women and testicular for men. With over 72% of firefighters developing cancer at some point in their lives, these screenings are vital in keeping these service heroes healthy.
Assistant Fire Chief Melanie Rucker is pleased that many firefighters signed up as soon as the screenings were announced.
“The firefighters that signed up will be doing the screening in early June,” Rucker said. “We had approximately 320 of our 432 fire personnel signed up for the screening early on.”
The service will happen in late spring at the Emergency Operations Training Facility.
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The Lake Street Safety Center now offers a new service. Residents and community members can file a non-emergency police report in person.
City staff are available to help file report incidents including:
- Theft
- Lost property
- Damage to property
You can file reports in person until one hour before the safety center closes. You can also file non-emergency reports by calling 311 or filling out a form online.
Learn more about the services and resources at the safety center on the City’s website.
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