MN Legislature Passes Public Safety Bill

<p>The final bill limits no-knock search warrants, expands access to private information on police misconduct, and creates “sign-and-release” warrants. Racial justice activists say negotiations left out significant policing reforms.</p><p>--</p><p>Feven Gerezgiher reports: </p><p><br></p><p>Early Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Legislature passed the long-awaited public safety and criminal justice reform bill.</p><p><br></p><p>The final bill limits no-knock search warrants, expands access to private information on police misconduct, and creates “sign-and-release” warrants.</p><p><br></p><p>At a rally Wednesday, racial justice activists called on Governor Walz to veto the bill. Toshira Galloway said negotiations left out significant policing reforms.</p><p><br></p><p>“You listen to our stories..you watch us cry. You hear all that they’ve done. You’ve heard about the 470 murders in addition to George Floyd... So how can you make a deal to say this is ok?”</p><p><br></p><p>Despite this, Justin Terrell, Executive Director of the Minnesota Justice Research Center, said the bill is good overall.</p><p><br></p><p>“There's a couple things here that people will actually feel,” said Terrell. “People are going to notice that they get pulled over by the police that they're getting a sign and release notice, as opposed to being arrested on the side of the street. When you call 911, if you're in a mental health situation, the 911 operator now has the option to send a mental health response, right, as opposed to just an armed officer.”</p><p><br></p><p>Terrell is a member of the POST Board, which has power over licensing and setting standards for Minnesota law enforcement. Earlier this week, Governor Walz announced an executive action investing $15 million in community violence prevention grants, as well as supporting data collection by the POST Board.</p><p><br></p><p>Terrell said he hopes the POST board can be more proactive in holding police accountable for misconduct.</p><p><br></p>