Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A state appeals court ruled Monday that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is not required to employ a minimum number of police officers.

In August 2020, a group of Minneapolis residents, including former council member Don Samuels, sued the mayor and City Council alleging they failed to follow a charter provision that requires at least 17 officers per 10,000 residents. 

Last year, Hennepin County Judge Jamie Anderson 

 ordering the city to boost staffing levels to 730 by the end of June. 

But the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed Anderson's decision. 

A three-judge panel says the charter requires the City Council to "continuously fund" a police force of a minimum size, but there is "no clear duty under the charter for the mayor to continuously employ" that minimum number.

Frey said Monday that he'll hire more officers anyway.

"It doesn't impact anything we're doing as far as pushing for additional officers and accounting for some of the attrition that we've seen over these last two years,” Frey said.

The public safety charter amendment that voters rejected in November 2021 would have eliminated the minimum police staffing requirement that's been in the charter for 60 years.

The plaintiffs say they'll appeal the decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Frey announces new search warrant policy in Minneapolis

Dozens flood Mpls. City Hall with ethics complaints against Mayor Frey

Judge sides with Minneapolis residents who want more cops

Crime, Law and Justice

Minnesota News

Twin Cities News

NewsPartners

Matt Sepic

Author

A three-judge panel says while the charter requires the City Council to "continuously fund" a police force of a minimum size, there is "no clear duty under the charter for the mayor to continuously employ" that minimum number.

Appeals court overturns Minneapolis minimum policing ruling

Go Deeper.

Like this?