Minneapolis is in the early phases of implementing its Group Violence Intervention and is developing its organizational capacity.
Minneapolis is also one of pilot sites for the work of the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice. The NI focuses on issues of procedural justice, implicit bias, and reconciliation with the goal of improving relationships and building trust between law enforcement and those it serves.
A unique idea is about to become reality for Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
Chief Arradondo came up with the position of “community navigator” and asked the City Council to approve the budget for it. While Chief Arradondo wanted two dozen positions, the council gave him four.
The chief hopes a Minneapolis Police Department community navigator can help create a better connection with people in the city.
“We are not going to be able really to arrest these problems away, nor do I as chief want to see our department in any way shape or form criminalizing some of these conditions that effect our city,” said Chief Medaria Arradondo.
Recently confirmed Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, acknowledging the historical mistreatment of minorities by law enforcement: "When legislative laws came down, whether it's segregating our schools or universities, police were the people on the front lines that were thrust into those very hot-button social issues. This has not changed today."
Acting Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Chief Medaria Arradondo, who is taking over for recently resigned Chief Janee Harteau, has been on the force for 28 years, and has been instrumental in MPD's work with the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice.
"The Minneapolis Police Department is rethinking its use-of-force policies, while stepping up its efforts to recruit female officers. Officers are now being trained in alternative ways to control violent or uncooperative suspects before resorting to physical means."
Aseante Hylick, formerly of the NNSC, reflects on her experiences facilitating police-community reconciliation in cities around the US.
"The survey found that while residents of these neighborhoods are distrustful of police, they nevertheless want to cooperate and partner with police to make their communities safer. A door-to-door survey in high-crime neighborhoods of six cities found that less than a third of residents believe police respect people’s rights, but the vast majority believe laws should be strictly followed and many would volunteer their time to help police solve crimes, find suspects, and discuss crime in their neighborhood."
"Every day, mayors across the country, including here in Minneapolis, are guided by a vision of a city that runs well for everyone. A core part of that work is making sure every resident is safe in every neighborhood. "
"A Minneapolis community seeks to counteract centuries of federal policies that have put its people at a disadvantage."
"The city of Minneapolis is making information on their police officers more accessible than ever before. Mayor Betsy Hodges revealed a new data portal for the Office of Police Conduct and Review. The office reviews every complaint made against a police officer within the city."
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau said that 363 officers have been trained and equipped with the body cameras in the city’s first, third and fourth precincts.
