St. Paul considers changes to police civilian review commission

St. Paul officials on Wednesday discussed an overhaul of the civilian commission that reviews complaints against police officers — and the process for filing such complaints.

It's one of several changes facing the next police chief, who is expected to start work this summer. The new chief will step into the role as the department reviews its practices for hiring and promoting officers.

Chief Thomas Smith, who is retiring in May, discussed those efforts at a City Council Organizational Committee meeting Wednesday, where members weighed potential changes to the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission.

The civilian commission reviews complaints of officer misconduct. In October, an audit suggested 18 changes to ensure that it holds police accountable and builds trust in the community. The audit said the commission should stop meeting in police headquarters and the reports that the group reviews should not include recommendations from internal affairs investigators. Complainants should also be invited to appear at meetings, City Attorney Samuel Clark said.

"A lot of this sometimes boils down to people not feeling validated in their negative experiences," he said.

The audit also suggested improving the process for handling complaints. Citizens are currently not able to file a complaint online, Clark said, and changing that "would go a long way toward accessibility questions."

Other recommendations from the audit would change city ordinances and require council approval. Those include allowing more residents to serve on the commission, which currently is made up of five citizens and two St. Paul Police Federation members, and removing those two police representatives as voting members.

Council Member Dan Bostrom said it's critical to have the input of officers who have been in such difficult situations and understand the nuances of the profession.

But Council President Russ Stark said law enforcement officials conduct the initial review of internal affairs cases before they go to the civilian commission, and the police chief makes the ultimate decision on discipline.

The Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota conducted last year's audit. Berkshire Advisors also reviewed the commission in 2009. Smith said some of the recommendations from that report were not enacted, partly because of the cost.

Clark said Mayor Chris Coleman will have to decide how to proceed. He said he anticipates a decision within the next several weeks; the City Council will vote on the changes by the end of the summer.

Smith and council members also discussed how the Police Department is building relationships in the community and closing racial disparities in its ranks. It is key to catch people at a young age and connect them with resources to keep them out of trouble, Smith said.

Staff have looked at possible barriers, such as certain questions on the test to become a sergeant, that may keep people of different ethnicities from being promoted, Smith said. The department is also trying to recruit staff that speak multiple languages, he said. About 22 percent of the people who work for the police department are at least bilingual, Smith said.

Ten people applied to run the department. This week their applications will be sent to a community selection committee for consideration.