On April 21, 2021, one day after a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty for murdering George Floyd, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the DOJ had opened an investigation into the City of Minneapolis and the MPD.

See the DOJ press release

The DOJ stated its investigation will assess all types of force used by MPD officers. This includes use of force towards people with behavioral health disabilities and those engaged in activities protected by the First Amendment.

The investigation will assess whether MPD engages in discriminatory policing. The DOJ will conduct a comprehensive review of MPD policies, training, and supervision. The DOJ will also examine MPD’s systems of accountability, including complaint intake, investigation, review, disposition and discipline.

This is an investigation into the City and MPD as a whole, and not of any particular individuals. The investigation is civil, not criminal.

The City and MDP are fully committed to supporting the DOJ investigation. Since April 2021, the City and MPD have:

• Responded to numerous information requests
• Provided dozens of witnesses for interviews
• Arranged MPD ride-alongs for DOJ investigators
• Arranged observations of the City’s 911 dispatch center
• Produced thousands of pages of documents to the DOJ

The DOJ has not completed its investigation. If the DOJ concludes that its investigation reveals patterns or practices of unlawful policing, DOJ will seek to work with City, with input from community stakeholders, to effectively and sustainably remedy any unlawful practices. This usually takes the form of a consent decree.

See consent decree explanation

You may contact the Department of Justice with relevant information.

Email the DOJ about this investigation

Call the DOJ