Minneapolis City Council throws cold water on incentive plan to replenish police ranks

A $15 million plan to replenish the ranks of Minneapolis police officers by offering bonuses is now in doubt.

On Tuesday, meeting as a budget committee, the Minneapolis City Council voted 7-5 to not even discuss the plan — and rebuked Mayor Jacob Frey for how he's gone about introducing it.

At issue was a tentative agreement between Frey's administration and the police union, promoted as a crucial step to stopping an exodus of veteran officers and attracting new ones. The deal could be reconsidered later, but the council's action makes its future uncertain.

Frey later announced he was calling a special council meeting Friday to discuss the matter.

Several council members who cast key votes Tuesday said they support the police but questioned whether the incentives would work. Some said they felt backed into a corner by Frey's administration.

Police Chief Brian O'Hara and the police union president said they were frustrated and disappointed by the vote.

The agreement, announced by Frey and O'Hara last week, would draw from a $19 million pool of state funds to pay $18,000 to eligible police officers over the next two and a half years, as well as $15,000 in incentive bonuses for new hires.

Council Member Emily Koski, who chairs the Budget Committee and is generally allied with Frey, scolded the mayor for bringing the matter to the council so late in the 2023 budget process.

"They've had six months to speak to us, and here we are at the last minute," Koski said, adding, "I will not be pushed to make rushed decisions funded by taxpayer dollars."

Frey disputed Koski's contentions.

"There have been quite a few discussions on this, and the only reason we're bringing it forward now is we have a deal now," he said, noting the union and city negotiators only reached the agreement last week.

Sgt. Sherral Schmidt, president of the Police Officers Federation, said she knows of veteran officers who could be persuaded to remain on the force with extra money, as well as potential recruits who might work for the Minneapolis Police Department with financial incentives.

"If I was a young cop and I had the choice between Minneapolis and Blaine, which pays more, I know what I'd do," Schmidt said.

O'Hara also said he believed the incentive package would directly result in more officers on the force. He said the message the council sent Tuesday was "incredibly disappointing," even if some of the concern was about timing and process.

"We don't want to hear people say they support the police. We want action," he said after the meeting, during which he, Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette and other top officials came prepared to speak for the plan but were never given the chance.

O'Hara echoed his frustration in an internal video sent Tuesday to police rank and file that was obtained by the Star Tribune.

Procedurally, the vote Tuesday was whether to add the incentive plan to the committee's agenda, after which the members would have debated its merits and potentially heard from city staff.

Here's how the council members voted:

In favor: Council President Andrea Jenkins, Vice President Linea Palmisano and Council Members LaTrisha Vetaw, Lisa Goodman and Michael Rainville.

Against: Council Members Koski, Jamal Osman, Elliott Payne, Robin Wonsley, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Jeremiah Ellison.

Council Member Andrew Johnson was absent.

Staff writer Liz Sawyer contributed to this story.