Mayor Frey addresses MPD overtime, scrutiny expected during budget season

Minneapolis leaders say the city needs a more accurate forecast of police overtime spending, as overtime spending has surged past the set budget. 

The city says it cannot recall police going over budget before this year and last year, and that overtime has been the main reason.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said police overtime is expected to reach nearly $23 million this year, but the department was budgeting $2.3 million. On Thursday, days before Mayor Frey is set to share his recommended budget, the mayor wanted to add some perspective and context to the issue. 

“There have been some narratives that have been both accurate and also slightly inaccurate,” Frey said.

Frey said the overtime is needed not just to fulfill daily duties with the department’s low staffing level, but also because of unexpected emergency incidents that the city has recently experienced.

Frey said the nearly $23 million expected in overtim...