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Minneapolis council adopts surveillance oversight ordinance after debate over procurement powers
Summary
The City Council approved an ordinance requiring public hearings and transparency when the Minneapolis Police Department acquires or uses surveillance technologies, amid debate about whether the council can condition administrative RFPs; a proposed amendment to force hearings at the RFP stage was rejected after the city attorney said it conflicted with the charter.
The Minneapolis City Council on Sept. 11 adopted an ordinance to increase public oversight of surveillance technology acquisitions and use by the Minneapolis Police Department. Councilmember Wansley, who sponsored the measure, said the ordinance closes a transparency gap by requiring public hearings when MPD purchases surveillance equipment or uses surveillance data, including data borrowed from another agency.
The measure drew a floor amendment from Councilmember Cashman asking the council to require a public hearing at the…
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