Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

A closer look at police reform and what it means to defund the police

Minneapolis City Council members discuss defunding police department
A large crowd gathered Sunday at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis, where nine City Council members declared their commitment to defunding and dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department alongside community groups Black Visions and Reclaim The Block.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

Over the weekend, nine members of the Minneapolis City Council declared their support to defund the Minneapolis Police Department.

The council hasn’t taken an official vote yet, but when they do they’re likely to have a veto-proof majority.

How would defunding the police department work? What other services would be added? And is it the best path forward?

Three guests joined MPR News host Kerri Miller to share their views on the future of policing.

Guests:

Ginger Charles is a retired police sergeant and full time faculty at Cabrillo College in California where she teaches criminal justice.

Mikki Kendall is an activist and author of “Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Left Behind.”

Steve Fletcher is a member of the Minneapolis City Council representing Ward 3.


To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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