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Minneapolis News
Jon Collins

Minneapolis City Council moves toward eliminating Office of Community Safety

Minneapolis City Council members sitting at desk
Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw (second from the left) speaks during a meeting in the city council chambers on July 16, 2026.
Cait Kelley | MPR News file

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The office formed in 2022 oversees emergency response, alternatives to policing and the Minneapolis police and fire departments.

The Minneapolis City Council has moved forward a proposal to eliminate the city’s Office of Community Safety, which was created in 2022 to oversee 911 operations, alternative public safety programs, and city police and fire.

Council member Robyn Wonsley said the office has failed to show it's value during the last four years and has cost the city millions of dollars. She cited spending overruns in the Minneapolis Police Department and problems implementing the city’s court-enforced agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on policing.

"Since its inception, it’s fueled deep skepticism about the city’s seriousness about advancing both public safety reform, as well as public safety beyond policing,” Wonsley said.

Council member Jamison Whiting urged his colleagues to give the office more time.

"We are removing the one piece of work, the one body that’s specific focus is to remove the public safety ecosystem outside of traditional law enforcement,” Whiting said.

Council President Elliott Payne said the change would move much of the office’s racial equity work into the Neighborhood and Community Relations department. The proposal would mean department heads would answer directly to the mayor.

“Nothing prevents the departments from appealing directly to the mayor to remove barriers to allow them to advance initiatives,” Payne said. “Nothing from this proposal prevents the mayor from being committed to comprehensive public safety.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey opposes eliminating the office. He said in statements to MPR News the city’s model has been praised by national experts and has effectively coordinated public safety resources since its inception.

“What came through loud and clear is that those who are bringing this proposal both don’t understand what it takes to run safety departments for a major city, nor do they have any plan for how these essential services should be delivered under their own proposal,” Frey said.

The council members voted 9-3 for the proposal, with one member abstaining. The full council will consider the proposal Thursday.