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The Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the city of Minneapolis last month reached 

an agreement on how to overhaul the Minneapolis Police Department

. It marks the first time in Minnesota that a court will enforce specific changes in police operations.  

The agreement aims to reset the culture of the department after the murder of George Floyd. It follows a 

state investigation into the Minneapolis police

 that found a pattern of illegal and racist behavior in officers’ behavior.  

It covers a wide range of procedures from traffic stops to how officers use force. For example, officers will no longer be allowed to pull over a driver only for a broken taillight, stop and frisk someone just because they smell of marijuana. And there are new restrictions on when officers can use tear gas or another chemical irritant to control a crowd.   

But will these new requirements be enough to improve the way Minneapolis police officers interact with the people they serve?  

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what’s in the agreement and whether it will usher in real change.  

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: 

Correction (April 20, 2023): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Minneapolis officers can no longer use chemical irritants to control a crowd. Officers can use tear gas and other chemical irritants, but under limited conditions, which include approval from the chief of police or the chief’s designee.

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The city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached an agreement last month on overhauling Minneapolis police. But will new restrictions improve interactions with community members?

MPR News with Angela Davis - The city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached an agreement last month on overhauling Minneapolis police. But will new restrictions improve interactions with community members?  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the state human rights commissioner, an historian and a retired Minneapolis police commander about what the agreement does and how it will be enforced.  

Can new rules for Minneapolis police improve interactions with community?

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