Obligations of the Saint Paul City Attorney's Office:
The Saint Paul City Attorney's Office (CAO) will defend any police officer in all actions brought against such officer to recover damages, including punitive damages, for alleged false arrest or alleged injury to person, property or character, provided the officer was acting in the performance of the duties of the position and was not guilty of malfeasance in office, willful neglect of duty, or bad faith.
The CAO will vigorously defend the officer unless and until it determines, after its investigation, that the officer was not acting in the performance of the duties of the position and/or was guilty of malfeasance in office, willful neglect of duty, or bad faith.
If it is determined that the officer is not entitled to defense by the CAO the officer will be notified in writing.
If it is determined by the CAO that a conflict of interest exists, then the CAO shall furnish other legal counsel to defend the officer, at the city s expense.
An officer may seek, at the officer s own expense, private legal counsel for all such actions, if the officer so desires.
Obligations of the Officer:
Upon receipt of a summons and complaint, or any other legal process, an officer shall note the date, time, and method of receipt on the front page and immediately deliver a copy to the office of the chief of police. The coordinator shall see that the summons and complaint and related materials are promptly forwarded to the CAO.
The officer, upon request shall also immediately provide the chief s office with vital facts regarding the incident, including personal notes, arrest reports, supplemental reports, photographs, diagrams, statements, and any other investigative information obtained by the officer.
Revised June 6, 2016