Minneapolis Committee Voted to Review Safety Office
A city council committee scheduled a public hearing to discuss the potential elimination of the Office of Community Safety.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Minneapolis City Council has moved toward potentially dissolving the Office of Community Safety, which currently manages five public safety departments. A committee voted to hold a public hearing on the proposal following ongoing concerns regarding the effectiveness of the office.
Why it matters
Council members argue the office has failed to meet its stated goals, citing issues with contract management and police clearance rates. The proposal seeks to shift departmental responsibilities to the Neighborhood Safety Department.
The Office of Community Safety currently oversees five departments including the police, fire, 911, and emergency management services. Officials are now weighing a transition of these duties to the Neighborhood Safety Department.
The players
Jacob Frey
He is the Mayor of Minneapolis who created the Office of Community Safety in 2022.
Todd Barnette
He is the Commissioner whose renomination was rejected by the City Council and who plans to step down by the end of 2026.
The details
The decision to hold a public hearing follows the council's rejection of Commissioner Todd Barnette's renomination earlier this year. The office was established in 2022 to provide administrative oversight for critical city emergency and safety functions.
Timeline
The Office of Community Safety was created by Mayor Jacob Frey in 2022.
A city council committee conducted a voice vote to schedule a public hearing on October 13, 2026.
The public hearing on the proposed elimination is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
Legal Context
This proposal follows the 2021 Minneapolis ballot measure to replace the police department by revisiting the city's approach to safety oversight. It marks a new development in the city's ongoing legislative efforts to restructure public safety following the rejection of previous structural changes.
The potential dissolution of this office could shift how residents interact with 911, fire, and police services if oversight is moved to the Neighborhood Safety Department. Residents can attend the scheduled public hearing to provide testimony on how these administrative changes might affect city emergency responses.
The takeaway
The move reflects ongoing tensions between city leadership and the council regarding the most effective way to manage public safety functions. Residents interested in city governance should track the October 27 hearing to understand how department shifts might influence future emergency service delivery.
What happens next
The Minneapolis City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposal to eliminate the Office of Community Safety on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
For more background on local policing, visit the Minneapolis Law Enforcement section.
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