Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council to vote on imposing fees for MPD officers' off-duty work
Charging officers for off-duty work
A proposed ordinance before the Minneapolis City Council would allow the city to charge fees to Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers who conduct off-duty police work, while using city-issued weapons, vehicles and uniforms.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council plans to vote on an ordinance that would charge fees for city police officers who participate in off-duty work.
MPD off-duty police work
Big picture view:
The new ordinance would allow the city to charge fees to Minneapolis Police Department officers who use city-issued weapons, uniforms and vehicles to conduct off-duty work. The goal of the ordinance is to help recoup the costs associated with these activities and offset the administration liability coverage expenses.
Estimates based on MPD data suggest these fees could have generated up to $1.4 million in 2024, according to the city council.
The ordinance was unanimously passed by the Minneapolis Public Health and Safety Committee on Jan. 22, sending it to the full council for a vote.
What’s next:
The Minneapolis City Council will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, followed by a press conference after the meeting adjourns.
The backstory:
A court ruling from the mid-1990s mandates that Minneapolis must allow MPD officers to participate in off-duty work – enabling them to take private security jobs paid directly by private companies. While working these jobs, the officers use city-issued weapons, vehicles, uniforms, and are covered by city liability.