Minneapolis still short on cops as judge sets jury trial for staffing lawsuit

A Hennepin County judge ordered a jury trial for a lawsuit arguing that Minneapolis must meet minimum police staffing levels mandated by its City Charter. The suit, filed by the Upper Midwest Law Center, seeks to enforce a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that found Minneapolis deficient in its hiring goals. The law center argues the city has not made meaningful progress toward maintaining at least 1.7 officers for every 1,000 residents.