Minneapolis, Minnesota – The fatal shooting of Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell on Thursday highlights a concerning trend of increasing assaults on law enforcement officers in the state. According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, there have been about 200 assaults on the Minneapolis Police Department since 2021, a statistic that has raised alarm among law enforcement leaders. Jim Mortenson, a retired St. Cloud police lieutenant and executive director of Law Enforcement Labor Services, expressed shock at the level of violence, stating that it surpasses anything he has seen in his entire career.
Mitchell, 36, is the third law enforcement agent to be killed in Minnesota since the beginning of the year. His tragic death follows the loss of two other officers and a firefighter-paramedic during a standoff with a gunman in Burnsville in February. The recent spate of violence against law enforcement in Minnesota is reminiscent of a more turbulent era for police in the 1970s.
The rise in assaults on officers in Minnesota, including incidents such as intimidation, kicking, punching, and assaults with deadly weapons, is stark. Reported assaults against officers have increased by 160% compared to a decade ago, according to BCA data. This concerning trend was exemplified by an incident in April where two Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies were injured during a shootout while trying to execute an arrest warrant related to a probation violation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara highlighted the growing trend of attacks on police officers in the country, with Mitchell becoming the latest victim of this troubling pattern. Mitchell’s killing and the surge in assaults come at a critical moment for Minneapolis, as the city strives to move forward from George Floyd’s murder and define a new approach to policing. Mortenson attributed part of the anti-police sentiment to media coverage and political discourse, suggesting that the diminishing public perception of law enforcement has emboldened criminals.
While Mitchell’s tragic death raises questions about the motives behind the attack and the broader implications for law enforcement, criminologist Michelle Phelps emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of the situation. She drew parallels between the current moment in Minneapolis and past incidents that sparked intense debates over police reform, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to addressing the challenges faced by law enforcement.