That is true, however the city council likely is not going to be the ones who have the final say on the matter.Chaparral wrote: ↑Mon Jun 08, 2020 10:23 pmAlso, disbanding a city’s police department is not without precedent. When faced with endemic corruption or racism in their police departments, a number of US towns have eliminated their city P.D., and paid the county sheriff or state police to patrol their city.Chaparral wrote: ↑Mon Jun 08, 2020 10:13 pm While I agree that the Minneapolis city council is naive, the video clip linked in the original post was cut short to misleadingly take the comment out of context. In the full statement, she explained (I’m paraphrasing) that while many people have the “privilege” of expecting that the police will arrive on a scene to protect them, that may not be the case if you are black. (Remember LTC holder Atatiana Jefferson in Ft. Worth?)
https://www.fox9.com/news/defunding-the ... ge-charter
According to the city charter, the council is responsible for the funding of the department -- and is required to maintain a minimum force determined by the city's population -- about 723 officers based on recent population estimates.
The mayor's office is given "complete power" over the department under the charter as well. Currently, the city's budget allows for about 888 sworn officers.
In order to change, the charter, an amendment would require a public vote or full approval of the entire city council along with the mayor.