Minneapolis Voters Will Decide Keep or Scrap Police Department

On Tuesday, Minneapolis voters will decide whether to keep or scrap their police department, as they’ve known it, changing it into some amorphous public health/safety department.

FOX News reported earlier, “Minneapolis residents planning to vote in favor of a ballot measure next week that would replace the city’s police department will be disappointed if it passes, according to law enforcement experts.”

Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (Ret.), a spokesperson for the National Police Association, said, “Frankly, I find it disingenuous.” She believes some supporters will vote for it, thinking the police department will be defunded and dismantled. “That’s not what’s happening,” Smith said.

Sgt. Smith cited the city’s contractual obligations with its police officers.

Insurance, other benefits, and pensions would also have to be negotiated. As a practical matter, more money would be needed for the training critics are demanding. And there’s the expensive matter of changing names on police cars, offices, business cards, etc.

If passed, police critics hope cops would no longer respond to specific calls. They believe some calls should be handled by social workers or “violence interrupters.” No details were provided about how dispatchers would know which calls would not require police officers before they get to the call.

The sergeant also pointed out police departments already send social workers to calls when needed. And social workers often call for police when needed.

Yes 4 Minneapolis, the ballot measure’s organization, spokesman Javier Morillo told FOX, “I want… to call for help when I need it, and I want… to not fear that help when it arrives.” There are no legitimate data that show people who call the police are in danger from the officers.

According to FOX news reporting, “[George] Floyd’s death unleashed a racial reckoning on police tactics and social injustice.”

However, there is no evidence what happened to Floyd was because of racism. In fact, racism didn’t come up even once during former Officer Derek Chauvin’s trial.

Supporters and opponents met for a 90-minute debate earlier this month, as reported by NBC News. One observer wonders if she votes no will things stay the same. She believes the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) “is broken and in desperate need of an overhaul.”

However, as Sgt. Smith pointed out, the MPD “is one of the most progressive in that it has always had some of the best training and equipment.” It appears Yes 4 Minneapolis has been successful with its anti-police messaging.

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar have publicly supported the measure. Mayor Jacob Frey, Gov. Tim Walz, and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar oppose it.

People will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd. Reportedly, 21,000 Minneapolis voters have already cast ballots during early voting.

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Steve Pomper

Steve Pomper is an author, freelance writer, and retired Seattle police officer. During his career, he served as a field training officer, on the Community Police Team, and as a mountain bike patrol coordinator. He’s written five books, including The Obama Gang and De-Policing America, and he is a contributor to the National Police Association and a freelance writer for The Tatum Report.

Originally from New England, he’s a Boston sports fan. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Jody, a retired firefighter. He enjoys spending time with his adult kids and three grandchildren.