Report Recommendation 2.8

Although only a recommendation from the 21st Century Report, the City and Saint Paul Police Department are proud to utilize a civilian oversight board in cases of alleged police misconduct. In fact, Saint Paul was one of the first cities to employ civilian oversight by way of the Police-Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC).

As part of a plan to build partnerships based on trust and confidence between the police department and the community, the PCIARC was established in 1994 as a process for citizen review of internal affairs investigations within the police department. The commission was the product of six different task forces and commissions over a period of nearly three decades. All of the task forces and commissions indicated a problem in communication between the police and the community. Increasing citizen involvement in the process of reviewing allegations of misconduct helps build trust.

PCIARC Annual Report 2015

As established by City Ordinance, and agreed to by the Saint Paul Police Department and the Saint Paul Chapter of the NAACP, the PCIARC holds public meetings throughout the year to receive community feedback and input. These meetings are scheduled by the PCIARC coordinator, an employee of HREEO.

The Saint Paul police chief regularly meets with community leaders representing the various communities in Saint Paul. The chief and his command team meet monthly with a civilian advisory board who present their ideas, concerns and comments. These members also receive a briefing from Chief Axtell as to current department business.

Through the Saint Paul Police Department’s agreement with the NAACP, the department attends quarterly meetings with members of the NAACP along with quarterly community meetings coordinated by our Police-Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission.

Not applicable for local law enforcement.

Not applicable for local law enforcement.