St. Paul is accepting applications through Feb. 10 from city residents interested in advising St. Paul police on how to handle civilian complaints.
The City Council recently restructured the Police-Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission, switching from a group of five citizens and two officers to a group of nine residents.
The commission reviews citizen complaints about police conduct and presents disciplinary and policy recommendations to Police Chief Todd Axtell. Issues the commission could review include excessive force, inappropriate use of firearms, discrimination and poor public relations, according to the application.
Civil rights groups and residents advocated for the change in the commission's structure, while the police union and Council Members Dan Bostrom and Chris Tolbert pushed back. An audit by the University of Minnesota's Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking determined that St. Paul police should not act as voting members of the board.
The city seeks residents who can attend trainings, including the Civilian Police Academy, a police ride-along and discussions on racial equity. Applicants must be at least 18 and submit a résumé. The application also asks about applicants' acquaintance with the criminal justice system, their perceptions of police and their ability to remain impartial.
Interested residents can learn more and apply on St. Paul's website.
Jessie Bekker is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.
