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Crime fighters gone rogue

Gang Strike Force recommendations

Updated: March 23, 2011 - 2:13 PM

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• Immediately deposit all seized cash.

• Develop internal controls for its vehicle seizure and forfeiture process, including accurate inventory records.

• Use confidential informant funds only for allowable and reasonable activities, and maintain documentation.

• Ensure that it serves notices to owners of seized property within a reasonable time after seizure and review all case files to determine that owners were properly served with notices of seizure. If a notice is lacking, the force should work with the state attorney general's office to determine proper disposition of the case.

about this series
In 2009, the Metro Gang Strike Force was shut down amid state and federal investigations. It was Minnesota's worst law enforcement meltdown in decades. The Star Tribune broke the first stories about the unit's troubles and the newspaper's dogged reporting ultimately showed what led to its demise.

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See the full series pageFull story