Ward 13 Challenger Mike Norton Calls on Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member Linea Palmisano to Release MPD After-Action Report Before November Election
Minneapolis, MN – Today, Mike Norton, candidate for Minneapolis City Council, called upon City leaders to take action in response to recently revealed details of appalling actions the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) took against its own residents last summer.
“Mayor Frey seems either unwilling or unable to hold police accountable. It’s time for the Mayor and Council Member Palmisano to stop protecting the status quo, and start protecting our neighbors. Minneapolis residents need to see the After-Action Report now.”
On September 1, 2021, the Minnesota Reformer released a story detailing the case of Jaleel Stallings along with other details of the MPD’s indiscriminate use of force against the public after George Floyd’s murder in May of 2020. MPD SWAT officers fired at Stallings repeatedly with “less lethal” ammunition without announcing themselves or their reason for the attack. After putting him in handcuffs, officers repeatedly struck Stallings, resulting in a fractured eye socket. None of the officers involved have been disciplined.
“We can and must do better. Since last summer, we’ve seen the MPD and City leadership double-down on the excessive force that contributes to further unrest, rather than stopping crime.” Norton said.
The City refuses to honestly examine how its police practices caused extensive injuries and traumatized residents. In fact, the “After-Action Report” on the City’s response to last summer’s unrest is being compiled by Hillard Heintz, LLC, a firm made up almost entirely by law enforcement, including some with a history of extensive legal settlements. Council Member Palmisano has taken credit for leading the effort to hire this firm.
Today, Ward 13 City Council candidate Mike Norton is calling upon Mayor Frey and Council Member Linea Palmisano to:
Produce a complete after-action report no later than October 31st of this year, allowing residents to read it before casting their vote
Release a complete public listing of the conflicts of interest of all staff members involved in creating the report, as well as an explanation of the process used to select this company
“In just two months, Minneapolis residents will be voting on the next Mayor, City Council, and charter amendments that could change the future oversight of the MPD,” Norton said. “Residents deserve to know the full-extent of the MPD’s misconduct last summer, and they need to know now.”
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Mike Norton is a candidate for Ward 13 of the Minneapolis City Council.