The Community Commission on Police Oversight convened a special meeting on August 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, focusing on public comments regarding the Minneapolis Police Department's discipline matrix. Chair Latanya Rees opened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of accessibility through live broadcasts and real-time captioning, and reminded speakers to moderate their speech for clarity.
The roll call confirmed the presence of ten commissioners, establishing a quorum. Chair Rees welcomed new commissioner Zyla, who expressed enthusiasm for joining the commission.
The meeting proceeded to the public comment section, where speakers were invited to share their thoughts on the discipline matrix. Each speaker was allotted two minutes to address the commission. The first speaker, David Bekking, highlighted the necessity of a fair and consistent discipline matrix for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). He referenced past matrices from 2009 and 2011, noting that while they were improvements, they ultimately failed due to inconsistent application. Bekking expressed skepticism about the current version of the discipline matrix, suggesting it may not be salvageable.
The commission encouraged further public engagement, inviting community members to submit written feedback on the discipline matrix via the city’s website. The meeting underscored the commission's commitment to transparency and community involvement in police oversight matters. Further discussions and public comments are expected as the commission continues to refine the discipline matrix.