Overview
- The Upper Midwest Law Center filed a Hennepin County petition seeking court enforcement of a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that requires Minneapolis to employ at least 731 sworn officers.
- The filing alleges Mayor Jacob Frey has failed for more than four years to meet the charter minimum and asks for immediate compliance or court-imposed deadlines or fines.
- Minneapolis reports 617 sworn officers on the roster and 32 trainees in the academy, with officials citing recent recruitment classes and pay increases.
- City spokesperson Jess Olstad rejects the allegations and says recruitment investments, including a 22% pay raise in 2024 and $2 million for hiring efforts, put the department on track to exceed 700 officers by 2027.
- The case lists four plaintiffs represented by UMLC and, as of the latest reports, the city has not filed a formal response and no hearing has been scheduled.