Brooklyn Center approves police reform package after shooting of Daunte Wright

The Brooklyn Center City Council voted on Saturday to pass a police reform package, spurred by the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

The reforms aim to overhaul policing in the Minneapolis suburb. Among the measures in the package are an increase in independent oversight for the police department, a prohibition of arrests for low-level offenses, the use of unarmed civilians to handle minor traffic violations and a the creation of a new city department to oversee public safety, according to the Tribune.

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott lauded the passage of the proposals. 

“This is just the first step in a long road ahead — but that is work that we as a city are ready to do with our community,” Elliott said in a tweet. “There will be lots of questions to answer, lots of learning, and lots of opportunity for the community to be at the center of this change.” 

This is just the first step in a long road ahead — but that is work that we as a city are ready to do with our community. There will be lots of questions to answer, lots of learning, and lots of opportunity for the community to be at the center of this change. 2/

— Mayor Mike Elliott (@mayor_elliott) May 15, 2021

“I’m so proud of our city for taking this critical step forward today. Most of all, I am grateful to our community who showed up, spoke out, and advocated for what we need to ensure everyone in Brooklyn Center feels safe.” 

I’m so proud of our city for taking this critical step forward today.

Most of all, I am grateful to our community who showed up, spoke out, and advocated for what we need to ensure everyone in Brooklyn Center feels safe. 4/4

— Mayor Mike Elliott (@mayor_elliott) May 15, 2021

The new measures come about a month after a former Brooklyn Center police officer shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte wright during a traffic stop.

Officials said Kim Potter intended to use her stun gun but instead pulled her gun and fatally shot Wright. Porter has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. 

The killing, which came as the trial for former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was being held nearby, spurred another round of protests against police violence and racial inequality. 

The council voted 4-1 to pass the police reform package, according to the Tribune.