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(KNSI) – Members of the Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus and United Black Legislative Caucus on Tuesday are detailing actions that DFL legislators will propose to improve law enforcement accountability after the shooting death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright by a Brooklyn Center police officer on Sunday.

The caucus members discussed several measures, like prohibiting peace officers from affiliating with white supremacist groups and banning the alteration and destruction of body camera footage.

“We currently have bills moving through the House that will strengthen the police officer misconduct database, that will allow local units of government to establish civilian oversight councils,” Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, said, “and fund community organizations working to prevent crime in their communities while addressing the need for community healing after traumatic events.”

“My city is hurting to see a beloved member of our community killed so recklessly as we are left with an occupied city that is damaged nearly beyond recognition,” Rep. Samantha Vang, DFL-Brooklyn Center and chair of the POCI Caucus, said. “We cannot keep doing the same things and expect a different result; we must do better to ensure justice for victims and peace for our future.”

The announcement comes a day after Gov. Tim Walz spoke about Wright’s death and called on the Minnesota Legislature to take action.

“I’m going to demand that the Legislature finally hold some hearings on some of these reforms … that have passed in other states and have proven to make a difference,” Walz said Monday. “Things that are supported by both law enforcement and community members, things that we know that would reduce the chance of a routine traffic stop escalating into a loss of life.”

The caucuses, in their statement, say the House Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee — of which Frazier is the vice-chair — has held 21 public hearings about police reform. They contend that Senate Republicans have not held public hearings on the matter this year and are blocking further reforms. After George Floyd’s death last year, the state legislature did pass some law enforcement measures like banning chokeholds, prohibiting “warrior training” and requiring officers to intercede when another officer is using force on a subject that is beyond what is reasonable for that situation.

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