Strike Force officers on hot seat

Minneapolis and St. Paul police won't reveal the identities of those being investigated as a result of a state probe of the Metro Gang Strike Force.

By RANDY FURST, Star Tribune

Last update: September 4, 2009 - 9:29 PM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

More from St. Paul

At least 18 police officers from Minneapolis and St. Paul who were assigned to the Metro Gang Strike Force have pending internal affairs complaints against them, according to documents the departments provided Friday to the Star Tribune.

But the police departments would not disclose the names of the 12 current officers they said they began investigating after receiving information Wednesday from a state panel that has reported wrongdoing by some Strike Force members.

The Star Tribune made formal requests under the Minnesota Data Practices Act for the names of the officers under investigation after the Minneapolis Police Department said it had opened internal affairs inquiries of seven officers and one former officer and the St. Paul Police Department said it was conducting similar investigations of five officers and one retired officer.

The state panel, led by former assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Luger and retired FBI agent John Egelhof, was appointed in May by state Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion to investigate the Strike Force. As the probe progressed, Campion disbanded the Strike Force in July.

On Aug. 20, Luger issued a report detailing misconduct by Strike Force officers. He told a news conference that some officers had taken home seized property for personal use, which constituted criminal activity. Asked how many officers had engaged in criminal activity, he said 10 or 12.

The officers in question came from three departments: St. Paul and Minneapolis police and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, sources told the Star Tribune.

Holli Drinkwine, a spokeswoman for Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, reported this week that Strike Force clerk Cindy Gehlsen had been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, and that deputy Paul Meskan was also the subject of an internal affairs probe. Drinkwine said Meskan has been reassigned to other duties within the Sheriff's Office.

The Minneapolis and St. Paul departments would not reveal officers named in the state probe.

"The identity of the officers is not public data pursuant to the Minnesota Data Practices Act. The only thing the police can release is the existence and status of any complaint," said Patrick Marzitelli, an assistant Minneapolis city attorney.

Sgt. Paul Schnell, a spokesman for the St. Paul police, said in a statement that the department "recognizes the value of transparency but is compelled to act in accordance with the law. The detail of complaints against any public employee is considered private until such time as a thorough investigation results in disciplinary action. Upon final disposition of disciplinary action, data documenting the basis for the action become public."

Star Tribune staff writer David Chanen contributed to this report. Randy Furst • 612-673-7382