Report Recommendation 4.1

The Saint Paul Police Department has fully embraced and incorporated the community policing model and has regularly adjusted policing practices based on research provided by the Department of Justice COPS Office, Professional Executive Research Forum (PERF), the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute (UMCPI) and more.

Community policing is part of the Saint Paul Police Department’s DNA, and officers partner with residents, businesses and organizations every day to reduce crime, build trust and build better future for the city. Being an effective police officer isn’t always about making arrests. It’s about getting out of the squad car, shaking hands and sharing smiles, ideas and meals. It’s about building trust and empowering the people we serve to prevent crime. Our goal is to significantly increase the number of positive contacts between police officers and community members every year.

The Saint Paul Police Department employs specialists in each patrol district responsible for reaching out to the community to provide advice and assistance in preventing crime.

Community programming includes:

• National Night Out
• Crime Free Multi-Unit Housing
• Community/business and crime prevention seminars:
  • Shoplifting detection
  • Personal safety
  • Robbery prevention
  • Residential security measures
  • Violence
  • Gangs
  • Graffiti
  • Drugs

The Saint Paul Police Department collaborates with non-law enforcement resources to address needs in our community that are stemmed in public or mental health needs. 

The Saint Paul Police Department has developed specialized investigative units to help communities with unique needs or challenges.

One example is the crimes against the elderly investigative unit, which is charged with the responsibility of investigating all reported cases of abuse or neglect involving victims over the age of 65 and involving vulnerable adults. These investigators work under the direction of the family violence commander. 

Saint Paul Police unit commanders have a responsibility to maintain professional and community contacts related to their command. As a representative of the department, unit commanders must take an active role in the community and participate in identifying and providing for its law enforcement needs. 

The Saint Paul Police Department has officers dedicated to code enforcement in each district.  These officers respond directly to community concerns related to quality of life in neighborhoods under the direction of the investigative commander. The district leadership and staff work closely with city council, block clubs, businesses and residents to improve conditions and safety in Saint Paul. 

The City of Saint Paul has one of the largest skyway systems in the nation. It is comprised of 2 1/2 miles of pedestrian skyways that connect approximately 40 square blocks of downtown and provide indoor comfort to some 100,000 people who use the system on a daily basis. To serve all communities that use the common skyway system, the department looks for engagement opportunities with:

• Downtown residents
• More than 600 businesses
• Shoppers, clients and event goers
• Transit hub users

In addition, the department has located a patrol unit within the skyway system. This unit works closely with residents, downtown businesses and the Greater Saint Paul BOMA (Business Owners Management Association). 

The Saint Paul Police Department partners with local prosecution offices to determine appropriate diversion and crime reduction incentive programs. The department also recognizes the essential discretion that officers have in enforcing the law and does not measure an officer’s performance by the number of citations they issue. 

The Saint Paul Police Department designates a deputy chief to serve as the department’s liaison to the Ramsey County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) – a professional forum involving police, judges, prosecutors, courts, defense attorneys, diversion programs (Remand), corrections and probation. The council’s goal is to facilitate policies and practices that complement shared goals for the entire criminal justice system. 

It is the policy of the Saint Paul Police Department that juveniles be handled in a manner consistent with state law and that officers use the least coercive methods of responding to juveniles that are consistent with preserving public safety, order and individual liberty.  

Beyond protests, St. Paul shows how police and community can find solutions

Christian Science Monitor / July 2016

The Saint Paul Police Department invests in programming to help promote positive relationships with youth and to mitigate negative life impacting decisions.

The department's Youth Programming and Outreach Unit is a large part of this work.  The unit is home to our Police Athletics League, Explorers Post, Junior Police Academies and Law Enforcement Career Path Academy.  They all participate in several community initiatives to include cultural and recreational programs, swimming and feeder programs among many other.  These programs offer many opportunities for officers and young individuals to interact in athletics, academics and other activities while creating opportunities and removing barriers. Many of these programs bring participants from diverse backgrounds that include communities of color, families who have recently immigrated to the United States and the city, and households that live below the poverty line together with officers and other youth advocates and community stakeholders.