Message from the Office of the President: Safety & policing external review, creation of M Safe next steps

Dear Twin Cities students, faculty, and staff,

We all want a safe campus environment—safe in every sense of the word. Recent months and events have inspired us to reflect more about what it means to feel safe, respected, and included across our University family and beyond. Last week, in her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, captivated us with her call to action and her observation that we are a “nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.” Our University, and our story, is also unfinished, including the robust work, challenging conversations, and necessary action ahead in our shared aspiration to be a more equitable and just campus community.

To advance part of our unfinished work, we need to examine our public safety and policing. To assist with that mission, the University retained CL Alexander Consulting, led by Dr. Cedric Alexander, an expert in law enforcement with over 40 years in public safety, to help facilitate conversations with our community, to help us determine where we are strong and where we fall short, and to provide any recommendations that can help bridge any divide between the University of Minnesota Police Department’s (UMPD) values and practices and our campus community’s values and experiences.

Beginning in September 2020, Dr. Alexander and his team facilitated conversations with more than 200 individuals, including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and members of the U of M’s public safety team, representing more than 30 organizations across campus. In addition, Dr. Alexander received online and written submissions, reviewed traditional and social media, and examined UMPD practices and training.

The Report and Recommendations

The report cites “an undeniable tension” between those who feel more policing is the solution and those who feel more policing is the problem. Acknowledging these distinct viewpoints, as well as many that land somewhere in between, the full report states, “public safety and community safety go hand in hand. Community engagement that is inclusive and truly offers a voice for all segments of the UMN campus community on an ongoing basis in defining how they want to be policed is the foundation for improved alignment between UMPD and the constituencies they serve. Strengthening the mechanisms that build trust and communication, problem-solving, and shared ownership are essential.”

The report is comprehensive, thoughtful, and honest, and I encourage you to read it. The dozens of proposed recommendations fall into eight broad categories for response:

1. Strengthen Trust and Legitimacy
2. Embracing Procedural Justice
3. Differentiate and Realign Policing Responsibilities
4. Engage UMN Campus Community in UMPD Training
5. Measure Outcomes and Impacts That Matter to All
6. Use of Equipment and Technology
7. Community Engagement in Accountability and Transparency
8. Role of UMN As a Leader For Addressing Police and Societal Reforms

Some of the recommendations that we seek to implement immediately include:

• Equipping UMPD officers with body cameras;
• Continuing regular meetings with the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul to keep communication lines open and to coordinate, as needed, on public safety issues;
• Purchasing and distributing the Rave Guardian™ campus safety app to all students, faculty, and staff; and
• Transitioning Department of Public Safety/UMPD oversight to Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Myron Frans’ portfolio.

In the days ahead, I will work closely with Senior Vice President Frans and UMPD Chief Matt Clark to operationalize these recommendations. There are many other recommendations included in Dr. Alexander’s report that will require further consideration and analysis, including adding officers to UMPD and installing and monitoring additional 911 blue call boxes across campus.

To more closely examine and implement recommendations, we are standing up an M Safe Implementation Team, as recommended by Dr. Alexander. The team will include students, faculty, and staff. As is common practice, we will look to our partners in University governance and other key University stakeholders to provide committee representation. Additionally, we have created a nomination process, whereby any member of the University community can nominate themselves or others to serve on this important team.

The M Safe Implementation Team will be advisory and will review Dr. Alexander’s recommendations, engage in consultation, gather feedback, and provide an action plan to Senior Vice President Frans, Chief Clark, and the newly formed University Senate Campus Safety Committee.

To track the progress of this work, visit the new M Safe webpage, which will be updated regularly. You may also provide feedback through an online comment form.

UMPD Service

While the report explicitly focuses on identifying areas for improvement, it also recognizes the considerable strengths of UMPD. The department has taken significant steps to broaden officers’ skill sets in de-escalation, mental health, and cultural sensitivity, as well as to enhance community relationships. UMPD has implemented nationally-recognized and forward-looking approaches from the Task Force on 21st Century Policing and Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait” program to install policies and practices aimed at improving trust and legitimacy. This commitment to ongoing change as a modern police department supports UMPD’s unique mission to serve the University’s Twin Cities campus, a jurisdiction unlike any other in the state.

We are incredibly grateful to all who shared their important voice and unique experiences throughout this process. I look forward to Dr. Alexander presenting his findings at the Board of Regents meeting in February, and to walking alongside with you towards what we collectively want, a safe campus environment for all.

With warmest regards,
Joan Gabel