Majority of Minneapolis city council members pledge to dismantle police department

Minneapolis-On Sunday, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council agreed to dismantle the police department.

Councilman, Jeremiah Ellison, said the council is working to disband the police department. Ellison said, “The plan has to start somewhere. We are not going to hit the eject button without a plan so today was the announcement of the formulation of that plan.”

Speaking during a community meeting earlier, council President Lisa Bender called the city’s relationship with the department “toxic” and vowed to “recreate systems of public safety that actually keep us safe.”

“Our efforts at incremental reform have failed — period,” she said. “Our commitment is to do what’s necessary to keep every single member of our community safe and to tell the truth that Minneapolis police are not doing that.”

Council member, Philippe Cunningham, says the upcoming budget is a great way to start. “We’re not going to tomorrow all of a sudden have nobody for you to call for help. There will be thoughtful and intentional work that’s done, research engagement, learning that happens in a transition that will happen overtime,” Cunningham said.

They said they’ll invest in community-based public safety programs.

Mayor Jacob Frey said, ”I’ll work relentlessly with Chief Arradondo and alongside community toward deep, structural reform and addressing systematic racism in police culture. And we’re ready to dig in and enact more community-led, public safety strategies on behalf of our city. But I do not support abolishing the Minneapolis Police Department.