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Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is pushing for changes to how fatal shootings by police officers are investigated in the state. 

Freeman suggests that grand juries shouldn’t be used to make charging decisions in cases where police fatally shoot someone. He also said agencies should not investigate incidents involving their own officers and that body camera or squad footage should be released within 45 days.

“Adoption of these practices would bring more consistency in these cases and I think the public would feel more comfortable," Freeman said. 

In his testimony over the weekend before a state panel that examines police use of deadly force, Freeman urged the Minnesota Legislature to hold hearings on the issue and to clarify the state law giving officers the right to use deadly force. 

“I think the Legislature needs to undertake hearings and have a real discussion about when police use of deadly force is acceptable,” he said. “I don't think the Legislature has looked at that for quite a while."

Walz says he'll dig into accusations BCA failed early in Noor probe

Law gives officers wide discretion in deadly force incidents

There have been a number of high-profile fatal shootings by police officers while Freeman has served as head prosecutor in Hennepin County, including 

the case of former Minneapolis officer Mohamed Noor.

Noor was convicted of murder and manslaughter this spring in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk.

Crime, Law and Justice

Minnesota News

Twin Cities News

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Jon Collins

Author

Freeman suggests that grand juries shouldn’t be used to make charging decisions in cases where police fatally shoot someone. He also says that agencies should not investigate incidents involving their own officers and that body camera or squad footage should be released within 45 days.

Mike Freeman stands at a podium with a microphone. 

Hennepin Co. Attorney Freeman calls for changes to how police shootings are investigated

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