Community representatives and Minneapolis Police Department had their first meeting last week at New Beginnings Baptist Ministries in south Minneapolis. The discussion centered on concepts for hiring officers to the MPD, emphasizing approaching youth in the community. 

Strengthening Community Bond 

Last week's meeting highlighted the focus on reaching out to the youth in the community. MPD Interim Chief Amelia Huffman said various programs are available to assist them. In addition, one of the programs discussed the MPD's community service officer program, according to the MSN report. 

Huffman added they are glad to be working with UCMT, for the group is working hard to bring positive changes in the community. 

MPD Chief of Staff Christopher Gaiters shared that many individuals are victims of violence and facing a financial crisis, and these people are not part of the program.  

UCMT and MPD Partnership 

Last year,  the Unity in Community Mediation Team sat with the Minneapolis Police Department and the Police Officers Federation and discussed the police culture change in Minneapolis.

The team is attempting to approach 44 percent of Minneapolis residents who voted to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department in favor of a Department of Public Safety. 

According to New Beginnings Baptist Ministries senior pastor, Rev. Ian Bethel, two years before the agreement was approved between UCMT and MPD. During the meeting, they agreed to hire at least 100 individuals to become part of MPD. 

He added that the complaint process would be one of their priorities. Rev. Bethel is the UCMT chair and PCRC co-chair. The goal is to strengthen the relationship between the agency and the community. 

MPD Interim Chief Amelia Huffman said they are glad to be working with UCMT, for the group is working hard to bring positive changes in the community. 

Prioritizing Public Safety 

On Monday, Mayor Jacob Frey passed more than $3 billion in city financial funds for 2023 and 2014. 

Frey wants to establish a new Office of Community Safety to prioritize community safety. The budget proposal is for more law enforcement, including overtime fees and other law enforcement entities' contracts.

Frey said that he wants to regain the faith of the community in law enforcement to keep them safe. He also shared that he has been working on recruiting officers to reestablish officer ranks. Frey believes that officers play an essential role in exemplifying the values in the city. 

About New Beginnings Baptist Ministries 

The church still follows COVID-19 health protocols in their in-person services. The church holds its 10 a.m. service at  St. Louis Park Campus and 11:30 a.m. at South Campus. The church has a virtual service via Zoom. 

The St. Louis Park Police Department's Multicultural Advisory Committee (PMAC) is integral to the department's awareness and race-based equity initiatives.

The PMAC is a volunteer group with a diverse cultural, professional, and educational background that advises the St. Louis Park Police Department on how to serve the community better.