PCIARC Process

In the PCIARC process, a community member files a complaint against a sworn police officer as an employee of the City of Saint Paul. This process is different than, and does not replace, civil or criminal legal actions. Investigations are conducted by the Internal Affairs Unit of the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD). The PCIARC reviews cases and issues recommendations to the Chief of Police. The Chief has ultimate decision-making authority on employee discipline issued to officers.  

The PCIARC follows a process detailed in the PCIARC Ordinance. Read the PCIARC Ordinance. 

  1. A complaint of police misconduct is received by HREEO and/or SPPD Internal Affairs Unit, depending on how it was submitted by a community member. Throughout this process, the community member is referred to as the complainant. Please note, the PCIARC Coordinator will not be informed of cases filed directly with the Internal Affairs Unit until -- and only if -- a case is scheduled to be reviewed by the PCIARC. 
  2. Once received, the complaint is reviewed to ensure that it has been properly signed. Under state law, complaints are official only when signed by the complainant. 
  3. The Internal Affairs Unit then confirms that the complaint is about an active, licensed police officer with SPPD, identifies which department policies may be involved, and begins the investigation process. Investigations can take approximately 8 – 12 weeks.   
  4. When the investigation is complete and has been scheduled to go to the PCIARC, the Internal Affairs Unit notifies the PCIARC Coordinator and provides the Commissioners with case materials. Case materials provided to the Commissioners may include a summary of the investigation, interviews, statements of the officers involved, and all accompanying evidence. These materials are made available two weeks before a case will be discussed by the PCIARC.
  5. Complainants have a right to make a statement at the PCIARC meeting. The PCIARC Coordinator will notify complainants that their case is scheduled to be discussed at the next PCIARC meeting.  
  6. If a complainant chooses to make a statement, the officer(s) listed in the complaint will also be given the opportunity to make a statement. If any statements are given at a meeting, the case will be considered at a later meeting. Statement(s) are transcribed, and Internal Affairs reviews the transcript(s) for any new facts that may need follow-up investigation. Officers have the right to receive a copy of statements made about the incident and provide a response. 
  7. PCIARC Commissioners review all case materials and discuss the case. Their objective is to assess if the police officer violated policies as an employee. On each case, the PCIARC recommends a disposition and may recommend disciplinary action to the Chief of Police. 
  8. After receiving a recommendation from the PCIARC, the Chief of Police makes a final decision on the case. If the Chief disagrees with the recommendation from the PCIARC, their decision is referred to as a “departure.”   
  9. If the Chief issues a departure, they notify the PCIARC Coordinator in writing of the actions they intend to take instead. The PCIARC Coordinator notifies the Commissioners. The PCIARC Chair has five business days to discuss any concerns with the Chief before the departure is finalized. 
  10. If the Chief opts to take disciplinary action, the officer(s) may file a grievance, as allowed by their employment contract.  
  11. Once the grievance process has been completed, if applicable, a case has reached final disposition and the complainant is notified of result of their complaint by the Internal Affairs Unit in a letter.  

Read more about Filing a Complaint Against a Saint Paul Police Department Officer  

Read more about Filing a Complaint Against a Saint Paul Police Department Officer - Spanish Version  

Types of Complaints

The PCIARC Ordinance outlines which cases are eligible for PCIARC review. The PCIARC reviews cases regarding alleged acts of: 

  • Excessive force 
  • Improper conduct
  • Improper procedure
  • Inappropriate use of firearms
  • Discrimination (as defined by Saint Paul Legislative Code 183.02) 
  • Racial profiling
  • Poor public relations 
  • Complaints referred by the Mayor, Chief of Police, and/or the Director of HREEO 

Please note: Only complaints involving sworn Saint Paul Police Officers that are outlined in the PCIARC Ordinance have the potential to be reviewed by the PCIARC. If a complaint does not involve a sworn Saint Paul Police Officer or does not fall within the categories listed above, it may be closed by the SPPD Internal Affairs Unit without PCIARC review.  

Recommendations to the Chief of Police

PCIARC Commissioners review all case materials and discuss the case. Their objective is to assess if the police officer violated policies as an employee. On each case, the PCIARC recommends a disposition and may recommend disciplinary action to the Chief of Police. After receiving a recommendation from the PCIARC, the Chief of Police makes a final decision on the case. If the Chief disagrees with the recommendation from the PCIARC, their decision is referred to as a “departure.”  

Dispositions the PCIARC can recommend:

  1. Complaint is sustained, meaning that the allegation is supported by sufficient evidence
  2. Complaint is not sustained, meaning that there is insufficient evidence either to prove or disprove the allegation
  3. Complaint is unfounded, meaning that the allegation is false or not factual
  4. Officer(s) exonerated, meaning that the incident occurred but was lawful and proper
  5. Complaint revealed a policy failure, meaning that the allegation is factual and followed proper procedure however that procedure has proven to be faulty.

If a complaint is sustained, the Commission has the authority to recommend discipline as well. The Commission can recommend:

  1. Oral reprimand
  2. Written reprimand
  3. Suspension (up to 30 days)
  4. Demotion
  5. Termination

The PCIARC complaint review process is outlined in the PCIARC Ordinance and the PCIARC Standard Operating Procedures Document (SOP). The SOP was created with input from the Saint Paul City Attorney's Office, the City's Labor Relations team, the City's Office of Technology and Communications, the Saint Paul Police Department, the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity, and the Mayor's Office. It was last updated October 9, 2017.

For questions on the complaint process or the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission, please contact the PCIARC Coordinator.

Last Edited: December 21, 2023