Minneapolis leaders will meet Monday morning to review a tentative agreement on a federal consent decree.

The consent decree — a federal tool for oversight of police — will likely mandate extensive reforms to the Minneapolis Police Department. City officials have been working with the Department of Justice to reach an agreement since June 2023, when a federal investigation found patterns of racism and excessive force in MPD.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey last week scheduled Monday morning’s special city council meeting. The council, mayor and city attorney are expected to hold a closed-door briefing on the agreement, followed by a public vote. If approved, the agreement will be filed in federal court.

The Department of Justice opened its investigation in 2021 after the police murder of George Floyd the previous year. After extensive interviews with members of the community and department personnel, it concluded that MPD used dangerous techniques and weapons against people unnecessarily, and treated residents differently based on race. It also alleged the department mishandles complaints and accountability for officers.

The report recommended a revamp to use-of-force policies, training and reporting. Those are changes that could be mandated in a consent decree. 

Other consent decrees in cities including New Orleans, Seattle, Portland and Cleveland have mandated a variety of reforms, such as civilian oversight of police, altered use-of-force policies and new training on weapons use and engaging with people with mental illness.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has experience administering a consent decree. He came to Minneapolis from Newark, which has been under a consent decree since 2016. 

Addressing Minneapolis officers last week, O’Hara said he’ll remain committed to improving staffing levels and supporting officers’ safety and mental health, as the department prepares to take on the change likely required by a consent decree. 

“When we focus on the right priorities, supporting one another, engaging with our community and remaining committed to our shared values, we can and we will navigate this process successfully and emerge stronger,” O’Hara said.

The decree would remain in place until an independent monitor determines the city has met all the requirements — likely several years later.

If enacted, Minneapolis would be the first city in the nation under both federal and state consent decrees. A state-level settlement agreement was reached in 2023, after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights also found a pattern of racism in the department. 

The department is approaching March deadlines under the state agreement. It will need to have new policies governing use of force, body camera use and interactions with minors. It’s also required to make substantial progress on a backlog of complaints against officers.

Advocates for a consent decree are hoping to see it finalized before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who opposed federal oversight of police departments during his first term in office.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Some Minnesota Vikings fans are getting a chance to see them face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field Sunday night for a significantly lower price after the Vikings’ ownership group made a big purchase. 

Vikings buy tickets for fans

What we know: Vikings season ticket holders, some staff and stake-holders got an email on Thursday announcing the opportunity to pick up some discounted tickets for the Vikings versus Lions game in Detroit Sunday night. 

The email said, “We’re excited to share that a limited number of tickets are now available for the Vikings vs. Lions game this Sunday, January 5, in Detroit! As a valued Season Ticket Member, we want to offer you the opportunity to purchase lower level seats for Sunday night’s game.”

The message then explains that the limited number of seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, before adding that the tickets “are intended to be used by Vikings fans and not to be positioned for resale or sold on the secondary market.”

Sources confirmed that in the days leading up to the game, the Vikings bought about 1,900 tickets on the secondary market for about $1,000 each, for a total just under $2 million, according to Sports Illustrated. 

The Vikings then offered a significantly lower price to season ticket holders, with some sold for as little as $200.

READ MORE: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: ‘I won’t be able to sleep Saturday’

Sports Illustrated writer Albert Breer reports the Lions contacted league officials and were told “that the Vikings didn’t break any rules in the process of pulling this off.”

The tickets are also reportedly for seats that are behind the visiting team bench zone at Ford Field, cutting into the number of Detroit fans in the stadium and potentially helping the Vikings communicate on the sideline. 

What they’re saying: Minnesota Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson shared this statement: “Given the uniqueness of this game, we wanted to offer our stakeholders – staff, family, Season Ticket Members and team partners – an opportunity to attend.”

Secondary ticket market 

The other side: Sports Illustrated reported one instance that “got the Lions’ attention” when one ticket holder sold their seat on the secondary market for $724.

That buyer then sold the ticket to Advantage Tickets, which is a company that reportedly worked with the Vikings, for $1,200. The Vikings then sold the ticket to a season ticket holder for $300, who then sold it on the secondary market for $690. Sports Illustrated said the buyer could be a broker, because the ticket was back on the market on Saturday.  

Pivotal game ahead 

Why it matters: Whoever wins the game Sunday night will win the NFC North title and secure the No. 1 seed as well as home-field advantage through the playoffs. The loser is the No. 5 seed with a 14-3 record, and will be on the road for Wild Card Weekend.