In the wake of the St. Paul police brutality scandal, the Minneapolis City Council approved the formation of a new department for the investigation of police misconduct. Council members voted today and passed the proposal to establish the Office of Police Conduct Review with an 8-5 vote.
The new agency will be run by both civilians and police officers. Both civilians and sworn officers will be represented in the investigative and the hearing departments. A staff of 2 civilians and 7 police officers will investigate the public’s complaints of police misconduct. The hearing panel will consist of a 2-civilian, 2-officer team who will consider the circumstances of a case and give their recommendation to the police chief. It will remain the sole authority of the policeIt is a hybrid the existing Civilian Police Review Authority and the Office of Internal Affairs.
The debate between supporters and opponents was reportedly tense and impassioned. Those against the restructure fought vehemently to prevent its formation and lost, but ultimately succeeded in tacking on two amendments to the structure. The first protects investigation information from the general public. The second provision allows civilians to choose whether they want a civilian or police officer to handle their complaints.
According to Velma Korbel, the director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department, the new agency should be complete and functional by the end of the year. While the agency will likely be a great resource, victims of police misconduct should also contact an experienced MN criminal defense attorney to discuss their case.
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