Proposal to Dismantle Minneapolis Police Will Not be on November Ballot

The proposal to dismantle the Minneapolis police force will not be on the ballot come November. Shortly after the death of George Floyd, demands were made to both “defund the police” and rethink public safety. It led the city’s council to vote to remove the requirement to maintain a police department within their city’s charter. They believed the force was widespread with corruption and potentially irredeemable. It was instead suggested a “department of community safety and violence prevention” who’s main goal would be to provide a community based and “public health-oriented approach” replace their current law enforcement. However, the proposal will not be considered come November. In a 10-5 vote, the Minneapolis Charter Commission decided an additional 90 days would be required in order to review the council’s proposal to dismantle the force which has been considered to be “dangerously vague”. Voters will not be able to decide on the issue until after the 2020 election.