Justice Dept. slams the way Minneapolis handled protests

Police didn’t have training to manage crowds, report says

Minneapolis government officials and Police Department brass stumbled in their coordination and communication during 18 days of protests after the police shooting death of a black man in 2015, according to a Justice Department report released Monday.

The Justice Department and state prosecutors announced last year that they would not bring charges against the two officers involved in the deadly encounter with Jamar Clark, 24, an incident that spurred days of unrest in the city. The after-action review by the department’s Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) office found problems with the city’s communication and coordination during the crisis that left both residents and police officers angry.

Before the sometimes violent protests spurred by the fatal shooting in November 2015, the last department-wide training on crowd management strategies was conducted as the region prepared for the 2008 GOP Convention in neighboring St. Paul.

“The Minneapolis Police Department did not have adequate department-wide training on crowd management, negotiated resolution, de-escalation, the use of personal protective equipment or the use of less-lethal instruments prior to the occupation,” the report found.

The Police Department was praised by COPS office acting director Russ Washington for displaying “commendable restraint and resilience in those extremely difficult circumstances.” But the

report found that officials — including Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janeé Harteau — “lacked a coordinated political, tactical and operational response to the protests, demonstrations and occupation of the Fourth Precinct police station.”

The review was conducted at the request of Hodges and Harteau.

“Disagreements between City of Minneapolis, MPD and Fourth Precinct leadership resulted in inconsistent messaging, unnecessary confusion and poor communication that significantly and negatively affected the response,” the report said.

Clark was shot by police during an encounter in which officers responded to a call from paramedics that Clark interfered with them as they tried to aid a domestic assault victim.

One of the officers said that during a struggle with police, Clark reached for the officer’s gun. The officer’s partner reportedly warned Clark to release the weapon, and Clark allegedly replied, “I’m ready to die” before he was shot in the head.

Some witnesses alleged that Clark was handcuffed when he was shot. Federal investigators concluded that was not the case.

The incident spurred days of unrest in which protesters occupied the area around the department’s 4th Precinct. During the protests, officers used force on multiple occasions.

In one incident, 51 protesters were arrested when they marched on I-94 and locked arms, blocking the five-lane highway.

Hodges said she and city officials have taken steps to improve communication with the community and news media.

“I know from making amends in my personal life that it’s not enough merely to say that I am sorry,” she said. “I also get to make living amends.”

“(Officials) lacked a coordinated political, tactical and operational response to the protests.” Justice Department report