safety
Judge orders Minneapolis mayor to meet city’s police staffing minimum or face trial
By Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey could face trial next year to explain why the city’s police department continues to fall short of its charter-mandated staffing requirements, according to a court order issued on Thursday.
Thursday’s order stems from a petition filed by the Upper Midwest Law Center...
Key takeaway Thursday’s order stems from a petition filed by the Upper Midwest Law Center asking the courts to enforce a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that found Minneapolis to be deficient in meeting its hiring goal.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The court order for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to meet the city's police staffing minimum has significant implications for public safety in the city. With the police department still short of the required 731 officers, the community is left to wonder how this shortfall will be addressed, particularly in light of the recent resignation of Police Chief Brian O'Hara. The city's recruitment efforts, which have shown some promise with 150 new hires since the beginning of 2025, will be closely watched to see if they can sustain momentum and ultimately meet the charter-mandated threshold. As the city navigates this challenge, residents will be looking for tangible results, not just increased applications or cadets in the academy, but actual sworn officers on the streets to ensure their safety and security. The upcoming trial date in April will be a critical milestone in this process.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey could face trial next year to explain why the city’s police department continues to fall short of its charter-mandated staffing requirements, according to a court order issued on Thursday.
Thursday’s order stems from a petition filed by the Upper Midwest Law Center...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyle Brown at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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