MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today released the following statement regarding security plans for Target Field during the 2020 season, including the team’s relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department:

“The Minnesota Twins, following the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd, initiated a process to carefully evaluate our safety and security needs for the 2020 season, including our longstanding relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). That evaluation, to date, has included dialogue with Chief Medaria Arradondo, whom we support and believe in his integrity, ability and desire to create systemic change. Additionally, we’ve sought out and listened to many voices – both inside and outside the Twins organization. This process will continue for the foreseeable future.

“For the 2020 Major League Baseball season, the Twins will continue our past practice of screening and hiring individual off-duty Minneapolis police officers to assist our internal security team in keeping Target Field safe for our fans, our players and our employees. The officers selected in the past have consistently demonstrated our organizational principles and values; those selected this year will be held to the same standards. We have seen firsthand that there are individual officers within the MPD that are committed to creating a policing culture of accountability, respect, empathy and fairness that honors the individual rights of everyone.

“With this decision now in place, we will evaluate our security staffing options for the 2021 season based on authentic progress toward significant reform within the Minneapolis Police Department and/or a community-embraced public safety model. We believe in the sincerity of city leaders to create meaningful change that advances racial justice and equality, and encourage those leaders to be unified and tenacious toward that goal.

“There is no place for racism, inequality or injustice in our community.”