In responding to a call involving a civil dispute, an officer sent on such a call will first determine that no criminal violation has occurred, then attempt to pacify the disputants, offer sensible suggestions, and when possible, inform them of the various local service agencies equipped to help settle their problems.
Some of These Agencies the Officer May Find Helpful are the Following:
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services:Assistance to persons who cannot afford a private attorney.
- Ramsey County Attorney Referral Service:Person who wants to consult an attorney but doesn’t have an attorney of her/his own.
- Ramsey County Urgent Care for Adult Mental Health:Provides services to residents of Ramsey County who are experiencing a mental health or chemical health crisis. Phone support is available 24/7 and mobile crisis teams are available to meet at a home, school, workplace or in the community.
- The Community Outreach and Stabilization Unit (COAST): works with community resource partners to connect individuals and families in crisis with community-based care.
- Saint Paul Animal Control:Dogs running loose and advice to animal owners about care of animals.
- Minnesota Department of Health:Information on animal bites and possible rabies exposure.
- City Complaints:Complaints on unkempt yards, unkempt commercial properties and vacant lots, and abandoned vehicles on private property
In domestic or neighborhood disputes, the officer is frequently confronted with facts appearing to be both civil and criminal in nature and must be constantly on guard against involving themselves in civil disputes other than giving practical suggestions to the disputing parties and maintaining the peace. They will make certain that both parties understand that the department cannot officially participate in a civil matter, and that either could prejudice any future civil action by violent or unlawful actions at the time of the dispute.
Excluding your own personal claims or lawsuits, officers should refrain from volunteering as participants or give out any police documents in any civil legal action and at any stage of the proceedings (interviews, dispositions, trials) and should only appear pursuant to valid subpoenas or notices to appear issued from the offices of the county attorney, city attorney or chief’s office. (See General Order 235.70: Civil Litigation Interviews)
Updated February 26, 2020