Minneapolis police officer off-duty work fees approved by city council | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Minneapolis police officer off-duty work fees approved by city council

The Minneapolis City Council has approved the implementation of charging fees for Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers who participate in off-duty work.

MPD off-duty police work 

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The newly approved ordinance allows the city to charge fees to MPD officers who use city-issued weapons, uniforms and vehicles to conduct off-duty work.

The overarching goal is to help recoup the costs associated with these activities, and offset administration liability coverage expenses. 

"We are well aware that for decades both subject-matter experts and directly impacted residents have been telling city leaders that MPD’s off-duty system was ripe for corruption and essentially is just a bad deal," said council member Robin Wonsley prior to its approval at a council meeting on Thursday. "This inaction has had a high cost to residents. Small business owners have also spoken publicly about the financial exploitation and discrimination they have experienced as a result of an unregulated off-duty system."

In the past, the city has paid millions in settlements to police officers, both related to working during the rioting that followed the murder of George Floyd, and working as part of the off-duty system.

According to Wonsley, based on information provided by MPD, if the city had implemented a system of off-duty fees during 2024, it could have recovered up to $1.4 million for the use of squad cars alone used by off-duty officers.

"That’s money that went to subsidizing off-duty private employment for MPD officers' side hustles," Wonsley said. "Today we have the opportunity to begin the process of reigning in this inequitable, and fiscally appalling program."

A future study would also examine other off-duty resources used that could be fined under the new system.

"Many agencies have said this is ripe for corruption, because there is no tracking, no standardization, and there has been limited accountability," Wonsley said.

Council member Katie Cashman noted that Minneapolis' police force was already understaffed, and finding a balance between officer wellness and public safety requirements was important, but noted that "improving supervision is a large part of the consent decree that was approved by this body… This is one of those steps toward implementation that the Justice Department is asking us to do."

Who should pay?

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However, council members expressed concern as to who should pay for any potentially implemented fees.

"This off-duty system is completely out of control, and presents harm to our communities," said council member Andrea Jenkins. "I just don’t think this is a cost that should be borne by our staff. They are off duty in Minneapolis, helping to keep Minneapolis safe. These fees should be taken on by the employer who is hiring these off-duty cops."

Businesses within Minneapolis have the ability to hire either off-duty MPD officers, or private security for events held within the city to meet permitting requirements.

"Let’s keep an open mind and come up with something that does not raise a public safety cost so that people cannot afford to have their events," council member Michael Rainville said.

Unanimously passed on Thursday, the ordinance was previously unanimously passed by the Minneapolis Public Health and Safety Committee on Jan. 22.

What's next:

The council’s next steps will be to explore how to implement a new system, now that it has been approved.

A $19 per hour fee for the use of city-owned squad cars could be one of the fees implemented, council member Wonsley said.

Council members will also seek input from MPD regarding a fee study to learn further what could be incorporated. Results of such a study are expected in May.

With updated figures, the council can then amend a fee system for 2026 and begin implementing fees at that point.

"We look forward to continuing the work of figuring out how, within our limited scope of authority, we can continue regulating off-duty work," Wonsley said.

Minneapolis City CouncilMinneapolis Police DepartmentCrime and Public Safety