Black Residents in Minneapolis Worried About Measure to Replace Police

By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 1, 2021

Black Residents in Minneapolis Worried About Measure to Replace Police

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo listens to a question from the media where he discussed police reforms, Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Minneapolis. The meeting follows the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in police custody after video shared online by a bystander showed former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck during his arrest as he pleaded that he couldn't breathe. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

In Summary

Voters in Minneapolis could get rid of the city’s police department in Tuesday’s election, but many Black residents are concerned about public safety.

After continued issues in the national limelight, voters in Minneapolis are ready to consider replacing the city’s police force.

In September, the state Supreme Court ruled voters could decide on abolishing the police in the upcoming election on Tuesday.

If the measure is approved, it will amend the city’s charter to replace the police department with a new Department of Public Safety, according to CNN.

As listed on the ballot, City Question 2 reads:

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to remove the Police Department and replace it with a Department of Public Safety that employs a comprehensive public health approach to the delivery of functions by the Department of Public Safety, with those specific functions to be determined by the Mayor and City Council by ordinance; which will not be subject to exclusive mayoral power over its establishment, maintenance, and command; and which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety, with the general nature of the amendments being briefly indicated in the explanatory note below, which is made a part of this ballot?

The ballot measure was introduced by an advocacy group and approved by the city council a year after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd.

Despite Floyd’s death and a national pattern and practices investigation by the Department of Justice into the city’s police department, some residents are worried about public safety.

“Everybody says we want the police to be held accountable and we want fair policing. No one has said we need to get rid of the police,” community activist Marques Armstrong told the Associated Press. “There needs to be a huge overhaul from the ground up, but we need some form of community safety because over here shots are ringing out day and night.”

The city’s first Black police chief, Medaria Arradondo, has urged voters to reject the measure because it would give the City Council oversight over policing. It is unclear if he will remain in the role if the measure is passed.

Activist Raeisha Williams, who lost her brother to gun violence, believes the measure is being supported mostly by white residents who have not personally experienced police violence. “It’s like our voices are not heard—they are hijacking a movement yet again and making it their own,” she said.

Local pastor Bishop Divar Kemp of New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on the city’s north side is also against the measure. His position is firm. “We need the police,” he said. “There’s no other way I can say that.”

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.  