Minneapolis LE use-of-force numbers have climbed after handcuff policy change

By Amanda Spence

MINNEAPOLIS — Due to reform efforts by the Minneapolis Police Department, officers must now count handcuffing an individual and pulling a weapon from their holster as a use-of-force measure.

According to The Center Square, the number of arrests have declined to its lowest level to date in four years despite the use-of-force numbers increasing after city officials changed requirements for reporting. The department’s use-of-force dashboard breaks down the increase.

“Handcuffing is now required to be reported as a use-of-force, so that has increased astronomically,” MPD PIO Garrett Parten said.

Handcuffing is the most common use-of-force measure now used by the department. It makes up 13% of all reports and 85% of use-of-reports as of last year. Four percent of all reports include specific holds, bodily force and firearms, with 24 to 29% involving the use-of-force for the same year.

“All of these changes have brought our numbers up,” Sherral Schmidt, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, explained. “If I put handcuffs on someone, I have to fill out a use-of-force form.”

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