Minneapolis will charge fees to businesses that hire police for security

The Minneapolis City Council approved a new fee structure for businesses hiring off-duty police officers for security, establishing rates of $27. 58 per hour with a vehicle and $6. 99 without. This initiative aims to recover costs associated with police resources, projecting an annual revenue of approximately $1. 4 million for the city.

Mayor Jacob Frey’s office confirmed he will not veto the legislation, despite concerns regarding the absence of necessary technology for fee collection until 2027. Council Member Robin Wonsley highlighted the financial pressures on the MPD, which is currently understaffed. The U. S. Department of Justice has criticized the off-duty system for worsening staffing issues, as officers can earn significantly more in private security roles compared to their official overtime pay.

The legislation follows scrutiny of off-duty police work, particularly in light of incidents involving former officers tied to high-profile cases. Notably, the city halted mandatory off-duty work at city-licensed events in 2020, allowing event organizers to hire private security instead. As the city navigates these changes, the debate around off-duty police work and its implications for public safety and accountability continues.