Law enforcement leaders will respond Friday morning to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s announcement earlier this week that her office would no longer prosecute felony cases stemming from low-level traffic stops in an effort to end the disproportionate targeting of minorities.
Moriarty said the low-level stops for things like a broken tail light or not having vehicle tabs don’t work, and don’t help with public safety. According to Minneapolis police data from 2017 and 2018, a gun was recovered in less than half of 1% of the stops, Moriarty said on Wednesday.
“We want the police to spend their time and resources addressing dangerous driving, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence,” she said.
How to watch law enforcement leaders respond
- What: Law enforcement leaders hold press conference responding to Moriarty’s new traffic stop policy
- When: 10 a.m. on Friday
- Who: Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association President Scott Boerboom, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt
- How to watch: You can watch live in the player above, on the CBS News Minnesota app or on Pluto TV.
Soon after Moriarty made her announcement, the state’s police union said the new policy is a slap in the face of law-abiding Minnesotans.
“Guns, drugs and fugitives discovered during traffic stops will now walk free, while officers are left powerless to act,” the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association said in part.
Moriarty added that the policy, which begins Oct. 15, aligns with the non-public safety traffic stop provision that was agreed to by the city of Minneapolis in both federal and state consent decrees.
This story will be updated.
Aki Nace
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