Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Jon Collins

Hennepin Co. Attorney Freeman calls for changes to how police shootings are investigated

Mike Freeman stands at a podium with a microphone.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman speaks at a press conference on Aug. 5, 2019, inside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.
Evan Frost | MPR News file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is pushing for changes to how fatal shootings by police officers are investigated in the state.

Freeman suggests that grand juries shouldn’t be used to make charging decisions in cases where police fatally shoot someone. He also said agencies should not investigate incidents involving their own officers and that body camera or squad footage should be released within 45 days.

“Adoption of these practices would bring more consistency in these cases and I think the public would feel more comfortable," Freeman said.

In his testimony over the weekend before a state panel that examines police use of deadly force, Freeman urged the Minnesota Legislature to hold hearings on the issue and to clarify the state law giving officers the right to use deadly force.

“I think the Legislature needs to undertake hearings and have a real discussion about when police use of deadly force is acceptable,” he said. “I don't think the Legislature has looked at that for quite a while."

There have been a number of high-profile fatal shootings by police officers while Freeman has served as head prosecutor in Hennepin County, including the case of former Minneapolis officer Mohamed Noor.

Noor was convicted of murder and manslaughter this spring in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk.