logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Does a Department of Justice study show Minneapolis police stopped Native and Black Americans at more than six times the rate of others?

By Alberto Gomez
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
YES

The Department of Justice estimates the Minneapolis Police Department stopped Black people 6.5 times and Native Americans 7.9 times more than white people from 2016 to 2022. The estimates were made based on data of actual stops as compared to the groups’ share of the population.

The investigation also found that officers in predominantly Black or Native neighborhoods tended to initiate more traffic stops than in white neighborhoods. The DOJ found these increased traffic stops were not in response to increased safety needs.

In October 2021, MPD began prohibiting officers from conducting stops for inoperable license plate lights, expired tabs or an item dangling from the rearview mirror (unless it posed a safety risk), while continuing to allow stops for other equipment violations. Overall traffic stops dropped, but racial disparities increased: from 2020 to 2022, Black and Native American drivers and pedestrians were stopped 7.8 and 10 times more, respectively, than their white counterparts.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US Department of Justice Department of Justice Minneapolis Police Investigation Report (Pages 32, 33, 36)
US Department of Justice Department of Justice Public Statement
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
MinnPost
MinnPost is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces thoughtful, in-depth journalism about civic and cultural affairs impacting Minnesota. Through our reporting, we take readers beyond the headlines and deep into the issues that matter through our public-service journalism, empowering them to engage in the politics and policy-making shaping Minnesota’s future.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from MinnPost
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.