MINNEAPOLIS — New data published by the Minneapolis Police Department shows disciplinary actions taken against some officers for alleged misconduct against protesters in the days following George Floyd's 2020 murder.
The heavily redacted discipline reports shine light on the MPD's actions against protesters in the wake of Floyd's killing, revealing nine officers were disciplined for excessive force and one for failing to supervise others, resulting in eight suspensions and two terminations.
Three days after Floyd was murdered by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, one officer was cited for failure to report his use of non-lethal rounds. Months later, he received a letter of reprimand but was also suspended, again using non-lethal rounds as a means of force while attempting to control a crowd that had gathered on Interstate 35W.
Almost two dozen other acts of misconduct were recorded between May 30 and May 31, 2022. Among them included a former sergeant, accused of using excessive force against a journalist with a chemical agent. The disciplinary report said the officer was also reprimanded for failing to document and report the incident and neglecting to activate his body-worn camera.
He was later terminated from the department.
Former MPD officer Justin Stetson was also terminated for his actions during the unrest, and later charged for assaulting protester Jaleel Stallings, who was hit with rubber bullets and beaten by Stetson in a parking lot.
Stetson ultimately plead guilty to third-degree assault, after repeatedly kicking and punching Stallings as he laid face down on the pavement with his hands in the air.
As the result of Stetson's guilty plea, he was sentenced to 15 days in the county workhouse and a two-year probation period with terms.
Records show many of the other officers who were involved with the Stallings case left the department on their own will, including Andrew Bittell, the commander of the unit who ordered officers to shoot the non-lethal rounds at unsuspecting civilians.
Chauvin, along with three other former officers, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, were each charged on both the state and federal levels for crimes committed in connection with Floyd's murder. All four officers are currently serving their respective prison sentences.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed the discipline decisions in a statement to KARE 11.
“For years I’ve been asked why discipline wasn’t taking place and I told the truth – just because we can’t talk about it, doesn’t mean discipline hasn’t taken place. It’s just means we can’t talk about it yet. Now it’s clear and transparent that accountability was achieved.”
KARE 11 has reached out to both the Minneapolis Police Department and Minnesota Peace Officers Association for comment, and will update this story as their statements become available.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.