Mayor pushing back on calls to end controversial Minneapolis department

Calls are growing to end an impactful and controversial Minneapolis department, and the mayor is pushing back.

Formed following calls for police transformation after the murder of George Floyd, the Office of Community Safety (OCS) was created with the goal of better efficiency within the city’s emergency services. OCS oversees five departments: police, fire, 911, emergency services, and neighborhood safety. 

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But the department the council sought just a few years ago could now be eliminated — Council President Elliot Payne is leading the way, as the council approved an Oct. 27 public hearing this week to end the department.

President Payne said in a statement, “These proposed changes to the governm...