DOJ Seeks to End Police Reform Deals in MN & KY

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    MINNEAPOLIS โ€” On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced its decision to back away from settlements made with the cities of Minneapolis and Louisville regarding the reform of their police departments. These settlements were initially agreed upon following the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, which ignited massive protests against racial injustice across the United States during the summer of 2020.
    The Trump administration also declared a reversal of previous findings from Justice Department investigations into half a dozen other police departments. These findings, supported by the Biden administration, had accused the departments of violating civil rights.
    This move by the Justice Department marks a significant policy shift. Under President Joe Biden, the department was keen on federal oversight of local police departments that were believed to be involved in systemic abuses. However, the Trump administration criticized these actions, arguing they depended on flawed legal interpretations that led to burdensome legal settlements, known as consent decrees, which they felt should be handled at the local level instead.
    โ€œFederal micromanagement of local police should be rare, not standard practice,โ€ stated Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the departmentโ€™s Civil Rights Division under the Trump administration.
    The announcement coincides with the approaching five-year anniversary of George Floydโ€™s murder. Officer Derek Chauvinโ€™s actions on May 25, 2020, when he pinned Floyd with his knee for over nine minutes, set off global protests and rekindled discussions on racism and police misconduct.
    The subsequent Biden administration had launched widespread investigations into police departments nationwide, uncovering instances of racial bias and misuse of force. Consent decrees had been reached with cities like Minneapolis and Louisville, though these agreements awaited judicial approval.
    Critics, including police reform advocates, condemned the withdrawal from these agreements, citing potential risks to community safety in the absence of federal oversight.
    Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been active alongside the families of Floyd and Taylor in demanding police accountability, criticized this policy U-turn as a moral step back. โ€œThis move sets a precedent that suggests police departments are beyond critique, despite their visible failures,โ€ Sharpton declared.
    Kristen Clarke, former head of the Civil Rights Division during the Biden tenure, backed the prior investigations, emphasizing their foundation in hard evidence and inputs from officers themselves.
    Clarke underscored in her statement that ignoring these well-substantiated violations is a blatant disregard for federal civil rights and constitutional principles.
    The Trump administration is also reviewing several existing consent decrees across the nation, which would necessitate judicial approval to reverse amidst potential local opposition.
    Dhillon pointed out that Minneapolis and Louisville are already taking steps independently to implement changes and oversight initiatives, challenging the necessity of federal involvement. She highlighted the financial burden communities face under prolonged federal oversight, criticizing the consent decree system as flawed.
    Minneapolis officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian Oโ€™Hara, affirmed their commitment to adhering to both federal and local reform agreements.
    Frey reiterated the cityโ€™s pledge to follow every word of the federal consent decree, as well as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights agreements.
    In Louisville, the city had likewise vowed to revamp its police force following a federal report uncovering a pattern of rights violations and racial bias within the department.
    Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed the cityโ€™s dedication to police reform, with plans to seek an independent monitorโ€™s involvement.
    Police Chief Paul Humphrey emphasized that the focus remains on collaborative efforts between the police force, local government, and the community to enhance safety and service quality.
    โ€œItโ€™s about the actions and improvements made by our police force and government alongside our community,โ€ Humphrey affirmed.
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    No direct attribution to reporters or news agencies was made, conforming to privacy and exclusivity.