06-29-2020-SWS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 29, 2020 8 community to teach people about law enforcement and how they do their job, community engagement. They have a strong community outreach program to communities of color and continue to work in that realm to do better. Councilmember Holmes asked if the union contract says it can't be revealed to the public if an officer was reprimanded or leaves the department, and the officer can get a job with another department without anyone knowing what happened. Undersheriff Ramacher said they have three distinct groups within the Sheriff's office represented by Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS): Deputies, Sergeants and Commanders. Within Minnesota state law there is a statute called the Peace Officers Discipline Procedures Act, commonly known as the Peace Officers Bill of Rights. It governs the rights that a peace officer has with regard to facing discipline. Also, all of the unions belong to the Legal Defense Fund that provides legal counsel if they are accused of a criminal offense or involved in a disciplinary proceeding. Undersheriff Ramacher continued by saying the State of Minnesota leads the nation on oversight of police officers. The Minnesota Police Officers Standards and Training was one of the first licensing authorities in the nation, and within each department there are internal affairs procedures. Councilmember Holmes asked if they disclose if an officer that leaves the department has been fired or disciplined to other public safety departments so the hiring department will know that individual has been involved in some type of problem. Undersheriff Ramacher said they don't voluntarily disclose that because that is one of the things covered by law in the Discipline Procedures Act, but Minnesota requires that each agency does a background investigation and they will reach out to the last employer. Most of the time the information is conveyed to the new department. It's rare that someone can retain a job in the field if they've been convicted of a crime or the subject of major discipline. Councilmember Holmes wondered if it were more of a legislative issue than a union one. Undersheriff Ramacher agreed that is was because the police officer rights are governed by law. Councilmember Holden asked for more information about minority training in the past. Undersheriff Ramacher stated that upwards of 31 % of staff in the Sheriff s office are persons of color, so they have a long history of diversity within the office to be reflective of the community. Bill Finney has been in law enforcement for 40+ years and the relationships he has built along with the diverse work force helps them become stronger in that area. They've had a number of people of different ethnicities that have been doing work with minority groups for many years. Mayor Grant again requested a copy of the Sheriff s manual be given to the City, noted they will be highlighting a section regarding de-escalation and add a paragraph regarding chokeholds and lethal force. He also asked to know if they can report by officer with their current system.