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A June 28 letter to the editor contends that the use of “coaching” to conceal police discipline records is not an issue for the police contract (”Problem isn’t coaching itself but how it’s been misused,” Readers Write). If so, it should be a no-brainer to remove new language in the proposed contract that for the first time excludes a verbal warning, which is tantamount to coaching, from the definition of discipline. Until recently both the union contract and the Minneapolis Police Department’s Policy and Procedure Manual made it clear that all findings of “just cause” that police misconduct has occurred, including those resulting in verbal warnings, require discipline and should therefore be public.
During the presentation by the mayor’s administration to the City Council, this major change in the contract was not even mentioned by city leadership. That same presentation made clear that this contract was negotiated exclusively by the mayor’s team. Given that many council members have publicly opposed the abuse of coaching to conceal misconduct, the administration’s agreement to this Trojan horse provision was contemptuous of both a majority of the City Council and of all citizens who believe that transparency is a core obligation of city government.
The Star Tribune Editorial Board has stated its opposition to the abuse of coaching. In a more recent opinion endorsing the proposed contract, the Editorial Board rightly emphasized that the coaching issue must be addressed (”Approve Minneapolis police contract,” June 13). My question for the mayor, council and even the Editorial Board is, if not now, when?
The City Council should reject any proposed contract that contains this poison pill.
Paul Ostrow, Minneapolis
The writer is a retired prosecutor and former Minneapolis City Council member.