Minneapolis police skip council meeting on $21 million overspending

Minneapolis police leaders did not take City Council questions about $21 million in overspending, frustrating council members seeking answers before budget decisions.

At a Tuesday committee meeting, Minneapolis Police Department leaders did not appear for a scheduled response, which usually involves a presentation, about the department’s 2025 budget overrun. Council members have said understanding how that happened last year is important as they set this year’s budget.

“Is anyone here from the Minneapolis Police Department or the Office of Community Safety to answer questions today?” Minneapolis City Council Member and Committee Chair Aisha Chughtai said, moving to the anticipated agenda item.

The roughly 20 seconds of silence that followed, without a presenter appearing, surprised news crews in the room and Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw as the presentation was set to begin.

In a joint...