(See General Order 304.00: Internal Affairs Unit)
The Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (P.C.I.A.R.C.), created under Saint Paul Administrative Code 102, Section 01, is charged with reviewing completed investigations involving allegations of excessive force, inappropriate use of firearms, discrimination as defined in Chapter 183.02 of this code, racial profiling, poor public relations and any other complaints referred to it by the mayor, chief of police or the director of the Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO).
The commission has a civilian review coordinator to assist in receiving complaints from the public. This person is employed by the HREEO for the specific purpose of serving as staff to the commission, managing the complaint process and preparing minutes of commission meetings.
At the conclusion of an investigation, the internal affairs unit submits the completed case file to the P.C.I.A.R.C. for review. The commission makes a recommendation for disposition and discipline to the chief of police following their review. The chief may agree with the commission and take the recommended action. If the chief disagrees with the commission’s action recommendations, the chief shall notify the review coordinator, in writing, of the action they intend to impose. The review coordinator shall notify the commission chair who shall have five (5) working days to discuss any concerns they may have before any action is finalized. This provision does not prohibit the chief of police from taking immediate action in any case. In all matters, the chief of police is the final decision-making authority.
Once the final disposition has been determined, the internal affairs unit commander will advise the complainant of the case disposition in a written letter.
Updated February 1, 2019