Listening Sessions Find Shared Values Between Communities, DPS Law Enforcement

​The Minnesota Department of Public Safety found shared values between communities and law enforcement following listening session across Minnesota. The seven community listening sessions took place last year in Rochester, Burnsville, Maple Grove, St. Cloud, Duluth, Minneapolis and Thief River Falls. The sessions found that community members believe that if law enforcement officers are selected based on specific values and then trained in the skills necessary to be highly proficient in their duties, then trust in officers and DPS will increase. Read the report here.

Working Group on Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters Presents Recommendations

DPS Commissioner John Harrington, Minn. Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of the working group on police-involved deadly force encounters released 28 recommendations and 33 action steps aimed at reducing deadly force encounters with law enforcement in Minnesota. The working group, composed of a wide variety of community, advocacy, academic, foundation, mental-health, law-enforcement and criminal-justice-system stakeholders, came to consensus on the recommendations and action steps.

"These recommendations, if implemented, will make Minnesota communities and the peace officers who serve them safer. The recommendations offer practical guidance and action steps to better prevent and respond to police-involved deadly force encounters," Commissioner Harrington said. "We brought together a knowledgeable group of stakeholders representing diverse backgrounds and professions from around the state to have the tough conversations. We heard testimony from 50 experts, including families who lost loved ones. As a result, we now have a plan of action that will reduce many deadly force encounters with police and provide justice and support when a tragedy occurs."

The executive summary of the work of the working group, with all 28 recommendations and 33 action steps, is available on the working group's website.