University of Minnesota Is Severing Ties With Minneapolis Police Department Following George Floyd’s Death

The University of Minnesota is the latest organization to distance itself from the Minneapolis police department after the shocking video surfaced earlier this week showing a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd as he struggles to breathe. The disturbing footage continues to send shockwaves across the country and further crippled the relationship between law enforcement and citizens in the city of Minneapolis.

On Wednesday, president University of Minnesota Joan Gabel released a letter to students, faculty, and staff announcing that she ordered the institution to no longer contract the Minneapolis Police Department for law enforcement support at its large events, including football games, which comes at a pivotal time as their football season is set to begin on September 3rd. The university also says that they will no longer use the Minneapolis PD for “specialized services” at university events such as K-9 explosive detection.

“Everyone in our community deserves the right to feel protected and safe,” the statement read.

On Tuesday, all four police officers involved in Floyd’s death were fired. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey also requested that criminal charges be filed against the officers.