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Community Demands Action, Harteau Apologies Over Race-Related Issues

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau met with a Citizen's Advisory Council this afternoon to talk about the recent race-related problems involving a handful of officers.

Off-duty officers allegedly used racial slurs during recent bar fights in both Green Bay and Apple Valley.

Many in the community are now voicing concern.

"We demand that officers who use racist and offensive language, who use excessive force to brutalize our citizens be fired and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Community Activist Mel Reeves said.

Chief Harteau has apologized for the incidents. She was emotional Wednesday afternoon after meeting with community and faith leaders on the advisory council.

"This goes beyond the last week or two -- when incidents happen it does stir up things that occurred in the past," Harteau said.

Harteau said she doesn't believe there's a department wide problem, and she's calling on all officers to speak up if they see bad behavior.

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