Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board follows school board in ending relationship with Police Department

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board terminated its relationship with the city’s police department Thursday, following a similar move from the city’s school board in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

According to local media reports, the board voted unanimously to sever ties with the Minneapolis Police Department, which includes ceasing the use of officers to staff park events and stopping park police from responding to Police Department calls. 

“Recent actions by the Minneapolis Police Department in the alleged murder of George Floyd while in police custody have severely undermined community trust in, and sense of safety around, Minneapolis Police,” the resolution read, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “This … does not support the mission of the [Park Board] and has no place in our parks.”

The move comes more than a week after Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man, died in Minneapolis police custody, inciting days of unrest in Minneapolis and cities across the country. 

The University of Minnesota, museums and other venues have also chosen to limit or end their ties with the police department. 

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer seen in a viral video kneeling of Floyd’s neck, was arrested last week and originally charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. 

His charges were upgraded to second-degree murder Wednesday, and the three other officers involved were arrested on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.