Question about pre-RNC raid raises hackles

Minneapolis City Council members sparred over a report about policing of the convention.

By DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune

Last update: September 17, 2008 - 11:42 PM

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The information request by Minneapolis City Council member Cam Gordon during a committee hearing Wednesday seemed innocuous enough.

When Police Chief Tim Dolan submits a report to the council next month on how his department fared during the Republican National Convention, Gordon wants to know more about what prompted a "pre-emptive raid" Aug. 29 at the home of several people police said were planning to commit crimes. He then told the chief he was impressed by how well officers responded to disturbances during the convention.

But Council member Paul Ostrow said he viewed Gordon's directive as presuming the raid was somehow improper. He reminded Gordon that a judge approved the warrant allowing officers to search the house, and everybody arrested there has been charged with a felony.

"I'm not calling for investigation," Gordon said. "I want an accounting of what happened. I'm doing my due diligence."

Ostrow continued to defend Dolan, saying he was planning to include such information in his report without the council's prompting.

"I think this sends the wrong message," he said. "It's really easy to be a Monday morning quarterback. The department worked incredibly hard to get this right."

Council member Don Samuels also praised Dolan, saying he would support Gordon's motion if the council would agree to name the chief's report, which is to be submitted in October, the "Really A Success" report. The committee, after an hourlong debate, voted Gordon's motion down.

Dolan talked for a few minutes about what his department did right during the convention, including the fact that nobody has filed a complaint with the Internal Affairs unit. He has asked the unit to review two incidents against officers to determine if a full investigation is needed. One involved an officer's use of a chemical irritant, but Dolan wouldn't discuss the other case.

Dolan said using minivans instead of sport-utility vehicles to transport officers in mobile field command units was a "stroke of genius" because they appeared less intimidating to the public. He also complimented his officer's handling of the hundreds of people who blocked downtown streets after a Rage Against the Machine concert. Nearly 100 were arrested.

"There are a lot of lessons to learn," he said.

David Chanen • 612-673-4465

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