As of 2016, Minneapolis has become the largest city in the state of Minnesota and 46th-largest in the United States, with an estimated population of 413 651.
Minorities are struggling despite the fact that the psych evaluations have already been lowered far below the US national standard.
In July this year, Justine Damond was shot by a police officer from an ethnic minority, triggering the city to reconsider its psychological standards for police recruits, after many claimed the city had become too lax.
Mohamed Noor, the officer responsible for murdering Damond, is Somali and was one of 200 cops approved after screening.
For the past five years, psychiatrist Thomas Gratzer has run psychological testing for the Minneapolis police. In that time, he has had to drop four of the five tests used to determine whether a candidate is suitable for police work, APM reported Thursday.
Now, Gratzer may be fired from his job, Ironically he may be fired not for lowering his testing standard, but because his screening has weeded out out too many minorities.
Minneapolis used a standard five-test procedure up until 2012. A federal study from 2004 found that the five standard tests actually worked quite well. The federal study revealed that the officers flagged as problematic by the tests were three times more likely to engage in misconduct, APM reported.
It is alleged that Noor shot Damond due to mental unfitness, and many are calling for him to be charged based on the circumstances of the encounter.
The fatal shooting of Damond, an Australian native who called 911 to report a possible sexual assault near her Southwest Minneapolis house, was shot when she approached the officers’ squad car in an alley.
Noor and his partner were responding to Damond’s call. When they arrived, she approached the police car. Noor claims to have then heard a loud banging noise as someone slapped the car.
Seconds later, Noor opened fire and killed Damond.
Following the shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges immediately defended Minnesota’s Somali community on Facebook.
“To the Somali community: I want you to know that you are a valued and appreciated part of Minneapolis,” she wrote. “I stand with you and support you. The strength and beauty of the Somali and East African communities are a vital part of what makes Minneapolis so strong and beautiful. I am grateful to be your neighbour.”
Noor has not faced any charges. Instead, Hodges forced out police Chief Janee Harteau because the officers had not turned on their body cameras.
In November, Jacob Frey won the Minneapolis mayor’s race, defeating incumbent Hodges in a crowded race to lead Minnesota’s largest and most liberal city.
