USA Today: “A push to disband the Minneapolis police department failed Tuesday for the second time since George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide calls for police reform. Minneapolis residents voted not to replace the city’s police department – which is facing a federal investigation – with a new Department of Public Safety that would have likely included law enforcement, 911 responders and mental health professionals.
“The proposal would have amended the city’s charter to remove the requirement that the city have a police department with a minimum level of funding and staffing. The ballot question sharply divided the community, and activists worry the vote could further drain momentum from the national police reform movement sparked by Floyd’s death as talks stall in Congress.
“Opponents feared the amendment would take police off the streets and criticized the plan’s lack of specificity. But organizers said it would have given the public and city council more control over law enforcement and prevented police from responding to calls where they aren’t needed.”