Minneapolis Review

The City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday night creating a new Community Commission on Police Oversight, a measure designed to enhance civilian oversight by streamlining the current process and improving transparency.

The civilian commissioners will serve as review panelists on a rotating basis to review investigations of alleged police misconduct. As panelists, they will have direct access to investigatory case files being reviewed and provide recommendations on the merits of misconduct allegations that will be forwarded to the Chief of Police.

The work of the full commission will take place during public meetings, which will provide an opportunity for residents to observe presentations, listen to discussions and provide public input. These public conversations, observations as review panelists, and research and study conducted with City staff will inform commission recommendations on changes to Police Department policies and procedures. It will include 15 members – 13 will be appointed by the City Council (one per ward) and two appointed by the mayor.

“Police accountability is of utmost importance to having a professional, constitutionally sound, respectful Minneapolis Police Department,” said City Council President Andrea Jenkins. “My colleagues and I worked through several proposals to strengthen this ordinance. I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished with these ordinance changes and thank my colleagues for all the work they’ve put into getting us to this point. This is a living document, and just one step in the march toward an accountable MPD.”

“The passage of this ordinance moves us one step closer to creating a more effective and transparent community driven civilian oversight system,” said Alberder Gillespie, director of the City’s Civil Rights Department. “The ordinance addresses oversight concerns raised by community, as well as in the MDHR report. Yesterday, we took a significant step forward.”

Original source can be found here.