Minneapolis City Council votes to move forward in dismantling the police department. This amendment would replace the police department with a Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention, “. They would focus on public safety services & public health.
The amendment goes on to say the director of the new agency would have “non-law-enforcement experience in community safety services, including but not limited to public health and/or restorative justice approaches.” There would be a division of licensed peace officers who would answer to the department’s director.
It was said that under the new agency, when someone calls 911, there will always be a response that’s appropriate, including the option for a response by employees authorized to use force. Most of the calls that police officers currently take will be answered by employees with different expertise.
