Minneapolis police often don't attempt to track down domestic abusers who flee a scene before officers arrive - leaving victims more vulnerable and empowering their assailants - according to a study published Thursday that examined how the department responds to calls of intimate-partner violence.

Minneapolis officers also communicate with victims in ways that show gender, racial or other biases, sowing distrust and making some victims less likely to call 911 in the future, the researchers found.

The study, published by the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Global Rights for Women, identifies a series of systemic gaps in how the Police Department handles domestic violence cases. The assessment took three years and cites input from MPD leadership, the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office, Hennepin County officials, a judge and a range of experts and advocates who work with domestic violence survivors. It also includes anecdotes and quotes from survivors who participated in several focus groups. They are not identified by name.

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-systemically-fail-in-response-to-domestic-violence-calls-study-finds/600282900/