TOPLINE
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday an investigation into the policies and procedures of the Minneapolis police to determine whether the department has discriminated against people of color over the past ten years, according to the StarTribune.
Mugshot of Derek Chauvin, who has been charged third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of ... [+]
KEY FACTS
The civil rights investigation, which will be lead by Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero, was announced by the Governor after the Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed a civil rights charge against the department in the death of unarmed black man George Floyd who died in police custody.
"We are going to establish peace on the streets when we address the systemic issues," Walz said.
This is the first time that the state’s human rights department has launched an investigation into its largest police department.
Lucero began contacting Minneapolis council members on Monday evening, according to Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, though it remains unclear when the investigation will begin and how long it will take.
Crucial Quote
"This is not about holding people personally criminally liable," Lucero said, per the StarTribune. "This is about systems change."
Key Background
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Department officer who allegedly held unarmed black man George Floyd to the ground with a knee to his neck for nearly nine minutes before he died in police custody, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter and is now in custody. Three other police officers have been fired, though not criminally charged, in the aftermath of Floyd’s death.
Chauvin had at least 12 complaints filed against him prior to Floyd’s death that resulted in no disciplinary action.
Further Reading
Minnesota Human Rights Department launches probe into Minneapolis police (StarTribune)
6 Atlanta Police Officers Charged After Viral Video Showed Couple Yanked From Car (Forbes)
Street Artists Memorialize George Floyd Worldwide, From Berlin To Syria (Forbes)
White House Officials Asked If They Could Take Over D.C.’s Local Police (Forbes)
