Learn more about the PCIARC

The History of the Commission

Established in 1993, the PCIARC is a civilian task force created to provide civilians from diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to evaluate police-civilian incidents and make disciplinary and policy recommendations to the chief of police.

In 2016, after an in-depth review and several community conversations, Mayor Coleman and the Saint Paul City Council made significant amendments to the ordinance governing PCIARC, including:

1. Moving PCIARC from the Saint Paul Police Department to the Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO).
2. Giving the Director of HREEO the authority to: (a) refer matters to the PCIARC, (b) recommend civilians to be appointed by the Mayor to the PCIARC, and recommend removal of commission members to the Mayor, (c) appoint and supervise the PCIARC's Review Coordinator, in consultation with the Police Chief and the commission chair, and (d) hire a private investigator on behalf of the PCIARC
3. Adding two additional civilians to the commission, increasing the commission from seven members to nine.
4. Removing the two Saint Paul Police Federation positions from the Commission.
5. Allowing commission members to attend training after they are appointed to the commission instead of being required to attend before being appointed. Enhance training for members to include training on racial equity, implicit bias, gender identity and mental health challenges.
6. Notifying complainants when a case they have filed will be heard by the PCIARC and allow them to provide a statement.
7. Removing any type of recommendation from the Internal Affairs report that is given to the PCIARC.
8. Giving the PCIARC the explicit authority to recommend policy changes for consideration by the Police Chief.
9. Having the PCIARC release summary data annually. (This has been done for many years, but is now required by ordinance).
10. Having the PCIARC hold an annual summit to review the annual report and evaluate the effectiveness of the commission.

In January 2017 the PCIARC moved to the HREEO Department. 

Types of Complaints

The PCIARC Ordinance outlines which cases are eligible for PCIARC review. The PCIARC reviews cases regarding alleged acts of: 

• Excessive force 
• Improper conduct
• Improper procedure
• Inappropriate use of firearms
• Discrimination (as defined by Saint Paul Legislative Code 183.02) 
• Racial profiling
• Poor public relations 
• Complaints referred by the Mayor, Chief of Police, and/or the Director of HREEO 

Please note: Only complaints involving sworn Saint Paul Police Officers that are outlined in the PCIARC Ordinance have the potential to be reviewed by the PCIARC. If a complaint does not involve a sworn Saint Paul Police Officer or does not fall within the categories listed above, it may be closed by the SPPD Internal Affairs Unit without PCIARC review.  

Recommendations to the Chief of Police

PCIARC Commissioners review all case materials and discuss the case. Their objective is to assess if the police officer violated policies as an employee. On each case, the PCIARC recommends a disposition and may recommend disciplinary action to the Chief of Police. After receiving a recommendation from the PCIARC, the Chief of Police makes a final decision on the case. If the Chief disagrees with the recommendation from the PCIARC, their decision is referred to as a “departure.”  

Dispositions the PCIARC can recommend:

1. Complaint is sustained, meaning that the allegation is supported by sufficient evidence
2. Complaint is not sustained, meaning that there is insufficient evidence either to prove or disprove the allegation
3. Complaint is unfounded, meaning that the allegation is false or not factual
4. Officer(s) exonerated, meaning that the incident occurred but was lawful and proper
5. Complaint revealed a policy failure, meaning that the allegation is factual and followed proper procedure however that procedure has proven to be faulty.

Sustained Complaints:

If a complaint is sustained, the Commission has the authority to recommend discipline as well. The Commission can recommend:

1. Oral reprimand
2. Written reprimand
3. Suspension (up to 30 days)
4. Demotion
5. Termination

The PCIARC complaint review process is outlined in the PCIARC Ordinance and the PCIARC Standard Operating Procedures Document (SOP). The SOP was created with input from the Saint Paul City Attorney's Office, the City's Labor Relations team, the City's Office of Technology and Communications, the Saint Paul Police Department, the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity, and the Mayor's Office. It was last updated October 9, 2017.

For questions on the complaint process or the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission, please contact the PCIARC Coordinator.

University of Minnesota Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking PCIARC Audit

In 2015-16, the City of Saint Paul partnered with the University of Minnesota Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking for a review of the PCIARC. Following an in-depth review and several community meetings, the University of Minnesota offered comprehensive recommendations to evolve the commission.

Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Saint Paul PCIARC Report Executive Summary

Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Saint Paul PCIARC Report

National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement

The National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) is a non-profit organization that brings together individuals and agencies working to establish or improve oversight of police officers in the United States.