The time has come for police reform. This action cannot again be set aside for future consideration. Minnesota needs new laws to address this matter as soon as possible.

Today, we Minnesotans are using our voices to demand change within our local communities; more specifically to protect all Minnesota citizens who reside within the communities that make up this great state. As Minnesotans, and as Americans, we are standing together, in force, and united as we should be: as equals, regardless of race or ethnicity, religion, or disability.

This petition speaks to those at the political level who have not yet forgotten, or need to be reminded of, the civil rights laws passed years ago to protect the American people and to afford each American dignity and respect. That means each and every American. This country and this state can no longer afford bigotry or ignorance. If the everyday working people of today can grasp this concept, why is it many of those we hire to protect us cannot?  

The citizens of Minnesota have signed this petition to demand a new bill be written for Police Reform, and to request an official MN government revisor to prepare this bill for official readings immediately. This new bill needs to mandate police reform in 4 key areas. Those 4 areas are as follows:

1. Require MN officers to undergo yearly reviews, divided into multiple fields of testing. (a) written tests based on skills, abilities, knowledge of laws, including an increased number of questions that focus specifically on the use of force, and when other non-lethal tactics would prove more beneficial. (b) a complete and updated psychological test given by a licensed professional mental health practitioner for every officer that has been on duty the previous year, or is expected to be on duty the following year. There is no time fulfillment elimination period as far as hours worked. This means every officer without exception, whether they held one volunteer shift or hold annual salaried positions. Additionally, MN police officers should be required to complete these evaluations each year to help ensure local communities that they are mentally sound enough to handle their workload and field positions, along with having the ability to interact with people in positive ways without resorting to excessive force when unneccessary.

2. Start at ground zero by bringing change to the police academy training. (a) Eliminate the training exercises that signify importance of lethal force, allowing tasers or other less evasive techniques/equipment to be the first choice for officers rather than a gun. (b) Eliminate the training of any and all lethal pressure-point tactics. If point tactics need to be taught, then prioritize focus on the specific pressure-points that help subdue aggressive suspects who may otherwise be non-compliant, and reprimand any officer who chooses lethal pressure-point tactics over non-lethal; no matter what the end result may be.

3. Require extensive mental health training dealing with all classifications and subclassifications of mental illness. This training should be provided in multiple forms. (a) classroom settings in order to provide necessary learning material and discussions. Classroom time should be mandatory for a period no less than 30 days. Missed dates will need to be made up so the full 30 days is completed. (b) field training exercises that divide up each specific classification and subclassification in order for officers to gain a better understanding on proper interaction techniques with those who suffer with mental illness, along with the correct way to respond in each situation that may arise. 

4. Mandate annual face to face meetings between local law enforcement agencies and the civilians they have sworn to protect. This may be done at a county or city level; or both. Specific expectations for these meetings are as follows. (a) Allow citizens a chance to be heard by local officers by providing an environment for each interested person to give statements, suggestions, and ask questions. (b) Statements, suggestions, and questions may be directed in general to all officers who report for duty within their communities, or they may be asked on individual officers in order to provide further clarity or resolutions, etc. (c) All officers that work inside local communities MUST report to all annual meetings. If an officer cannot attend the scheduled meeting date, an additional date must be made to hold a separate meeting for that officer. This meeting must be set for the closest date possible. All citizens within that community should be notified a minimum of 14 days (or 2 weeks) prior to the newly rescheduled meeting, including the time and place it will be held. These requirements should not only help increase accountability and acceptance for all, but also help to establish recognition and familiarity between all attending individuals rather than the civilian vs law enforcement perception that most of us have gotten used to. The ability to engage face to face with local officers brings a unique approach to one on one connections, and in time can eliminate stress factors that arise when interactions between people and law enforcement collide as they become more familiar with one another. 

The time is now to approve this bill and bring it into law. What has recently occurred in Minnesota is nothing less than tragic. Without this reform, the chance for future escalated scenarios, such as the riots that damaged this state (and the nation), is a risk we cannot afford to take. Take corrective measures now and pass this petition forward for bill enactment today. The people of this state are depending on you. Don't let us down.