Minneapolis residents question pace of police reform, training

Residents in Minneapolis expressed frustration over the slow implementation of police use-of-force training at a recent public forum led by Cmdr. Yolanda Wilks. Activists criticized the bureaucratic delays and questioned why new policies, developed in response to civil rights abuses uncovered after George Floyd's murder, have not been enforced. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement requires significant changes within the police department, and while progress has been made, community members feel the pace is insufficient. Wilks noted that training every officer on the new policies is a resource-intensive process that takes time.

A report from Effective Law Enforcement For All (ELEFA) indicated improvements in handling use-of-force cases and policy development. Community leaders emphasized the need for more input from residents in shaping these reforms. Some questioned the involvement of officers like Hanneman, who faced criticism for previous actions, in developing the new training. The department aims to complete training by October, but community members demand quicker action and transparency.