Law Enforcement Groups to Brooklyn Center: Police Reform Plan ‘Misguided’
Law enforcement organizations send letter to Brooklyn Center elected leaders, opposing policing resolution
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA), Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS) and the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association sent a letter to Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott and council members, opposing a resolution to reform Brooklyn Center Police that will be considered this Saturday, May 15.
The resolution calls for sending unarmed members of a “Community Response Department” to respond to a medical and mental health calls as well as unarmed civilians conducting traffic stops. Read the full resolution here.
The letter calls the proposed revamping of traffic and criminal laws and procedures in the midst of an increase in violent crime “misguided.” The letter goes on to say the measure would make “officers and community members less safe.”
Also See: Brooklyn Center Mayor Unveils Police Reform Plan
It also went on to say the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association will be sending a similar letter to Brooklyn Center city leaders.
FULL LETTER:
Dear Mayor Elliot and Council Members:
The undersigned submit this letter on behalf of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA), Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. (LELS), and the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association. We have recently learned of The Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock-Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Resolution, which is on the Council’s meeting agenda for Saturday, May 15, 2021. For the reasons stated below, we respectfully request that the Council vote ‘no’ to this resolution or table the vote until such time as the City has obtained additional and accurate State-wide law enforcement input, completed necessary studies, and fully developed an implementation plan for any changes to be made to the City’s policing policies and procedures.As representatives of the law enforcement community in the State of Minnesota, we are concerned that a vote on the proposed resolution would be considered without the necessary input and data from all affected parties—citizens, business owners, state and other representatives, law enforcement rank and file, supervisors, chiefs or sheriffs.
Initial review of the proposed resolution reveals several shortcomings and concerns. For instance, the resolution conflicts with numerous State statutes; including, without limitation, Minn. Stat. §629.72, Domestic Abuse; Harassment; Violation of Order for Protection or No Contact Order; Minn. Stat.§626.863, Unauthorized Practice; Minn. Stat. §169.98, Police, Patrol, or Security Guard Vehicle; Minn. Stat. §299C.10, Identification Data Required; and, Minn. Stat. § 609.066, Authorized Use of Deadly Force by Peace Officers. The doubtful legality of the provisions of the resolution authorizing non- licensed civilians to act in certain situations contrary to state law would heighten the threat to those individuals and the public. This in turn would have the unintended but likely consequence of offenders ignoring, fleeing or confronting the civilians thereby endangering others in the vicinity or on the roadway.
Similarly, the proposed resolution prohibiting custodial arrests or consent searches for non-felony offenses would prevent arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and careless, reckless or other dangerous driving conduct. This is contrary to reason, state law and public safety. Likewise, officers called to a domestic assault are required by Minnesota law to arrest and detain the assailant. However, the resolution, as drafted, would conflict with state law and, importantly, increase the danger to the victim of that assault. Further, delegating responsibilities to committees comprised of individuals without experience concerning police process, procedure, response or collective bargaining issues and terms is problematic.
Important discussions must be had regarding law enforcement in our State, but those discussions must happen with the input from all stakeholders, including law enforcement officers and leadership. Changes in police operations must be methodical, well thought out, and researched before they are made into best practices. This can only be done by having all of the stakeholders at the table to make these decisions with everyone’s input and best interests in mind. Rushing significant change will only result in the potential of significant failure.
The City’s residents and its law enforcement officers deserve better from their City. The City’s proposed drastic revamping of traffic and criminal laws and procedures in the midst of an increase in violent crime, is misguided. This makes officers and community members less safe.
We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of the discussions and process to answer any questions and to address the concerns of the residents of Brooklyn Center to ensure a fully informed decision and strategy is achieved. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Brian Peters
Executive Director
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers AssociationJim Mortenson
Executive Director
Law Enforcement Labor ServicesBill Hutton
Executive Director
Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association
ADDITIONAL LETTER FROM CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION:
Dear Mayor Elliot and Council Members:
On behalf of more than 300 police chiefs and nearly 200 other law enforcement leaders in our state, the
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) wants to first recognize the tragic death of Daunte Wright
and, while leaders in police reform, express our concerns about The Daunte Wright and Kobe Dimock-
Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Resolution. As you know, the resolution is on the
Council’s meeting agenda for Saturday, May 15, 2021.First, we are troubled by the fact that the resolution conflicts with several State statutes, including, Minn.
Stat. §629.72, Domestic Abuse; Harassment; Violation of Order for Protection or No Contact Order; Minn.
Stat.§626.863, Unauthorized Practice; Minn. Stat. §169.98, Police, Patrol, or Security Guard Vehicle; Minn.
Stat. §299C.10, Identification Data Required and, Minn. Stat. § 609.066, Authorized Use of Deadly Force by
Peace Officers.Second, we are particularly concerned about the provisions of the resolution authorizing non- licensed
employees to act in certain situations contrary to state law. We believe this would heighten the threat to
those individuals and the public. We’re fearful this would have the unintended consequence of possible
offenders ignoring, fleeing, or confronting the civilian employees.Similarly, the proposed resolution prohibiting custodial arrests or consent searches for non-felony offenses
would prevent arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and
careless, reckless or other dangerous driving conduct. This is contrary to public safety. Likewise, officers
called to a domestic assault or court issued domestic abuse no-contact orders are required by Minnesota
law to arrest and detain the assailant. However, the resolution, as drafted, would conflict with state law
and increase the danger to the victim of that assault. Further, delegating responsibilities to committees
composed of individuals without experience concerning police best practices, procedure, response, or
collective bargaining issues and terms is problematic.The last fact brings up our final point. We understand that acting Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tony Gruenig
and his administration have not been a part of the process to develop the resolution. We’re deeply troubled
by the fact law enforcement leadership in your city hasn’t been asked for input. We feel strongly that acting
Chief Gruenig’s background, knowledge, and experience would be vital to crafting successful police reform
measures that would improve public safety in your city.As a member of the MCPA, acting Chief Gruenig is part of a state-wide organization that has a long history
of pushing for police reform measures that hold peace officers accountable, tackle racial inequities, and
restore trust in law enforcement at the state and local levels. We supported the sweeping police reform
package adopted by the legislature in 2020 following the tragic death of George Floyd and continue to be
active at the legislature advocating for changes to the arbitration system and other important policy
changes that would enhance the policing profession.For all the reasons stated above, we respectfully request that the Council vote ‘no’ to this resolution or
table the vote until more input is gathered and everyone has a greater understanding of the consequences
of the resolution.We would welcome the opportunity to be a part of the discussions. Thank you for your consideration.
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association
