Minneapolis council receives update on police dept. lawsuit

Announcing arrests
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, police chief Tim Dolan and the Minneapolis city council were given an update by the city attorney's office on a lawsuit that alleges racial discrimination in the Minneapolis police department.
MPR Photo/Marisa Helms

The discussion at Mineapolis City Hall lasted more than three hours. Members of the city attorneys office briefed the city council, Mayor R.T. Rybak and police chief Tim Dolan.

City officials say the purpose of the meeting was for city attorneys to update the council and mayor about recent settlement talks involving the plaintiffs' lawyers and a magistrate judge.

City council president Barb Johnson says the council provided direction to the city's legal team, and she says the attorneys will meet again with the judge.

The lawsuit alleges that the officers were denied promotions and unfairly disciplined because of their race. Police officials deny claims of bias.