Campion outlines ideas for new anti-gang unit

Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion talked to local law enforcement leaders Tuesday about creating "a new framework" to fight gangs, drugs and violent crime, replacing the Metro Gang Strike Force that Campion permanently shut down in July.

Details, however, were sketchy. Andy Skoogman, a spokesman for Campion, said the proposal lays out a task force "with more accountability and oversight than previously existed in the metro area" and addresses criticisms raised by two reports that skewered the Strike Force for improprieties.

Skoogman said the proposal "would create an entity that is fueled by information analysis and focused on taking down major criminal conspiracies and obtaining significant prison sentences for those convicted."

He said the proposal addresses all the concerns raised by the report issued in August by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger and retired FBI special agent John Egelhoff, and a separate report issued in May by Jim Nobles, state legislative auditor.

Both reports described an evidence room that was disorganized and unsecured and lacked proper staffing. Strike Force members took seized property home for their own use, which was a criminal act, Luger said.

Sources said a new task force would not have a stand-alone evidence room; rather the unit would use the evidence room of an existing law enforcement agency. Also, the new task force would use a unified record system. Investigators found the old Strike Force records often lacked information about raids and seizures.

Skoogman said options were discussed at the meeting, with "details being worked out with everyone involved."

"I would describe it as the beginning of a proposal," said St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington, saying Campion's ideas were "a good starting point."

Harrington said he planned to meet with his own staff to consider whether his department will participate.

Meanwhile, Sen. Linda Higgins, DFL-Minneapolis, chair of the Senate Public Safety Budget Division, and Sen. Mee Moua, DFL-St. Paul, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent Campion a letter on Monday outlining what subjects they want Campion to address at the next hearing on the Strike Force, scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Capitol.

They said they wanted to hear Campion's proposals for future task forces and details on current task forces, including how they are evaluated.