Member Requirements

  • Saint Paul Residency is Required

Powers & Duties

Reviewing materials and reports on all investigations of complaints concerning members of the Saint Paul Police Department regarding alleged acts of

  • Excessive force
  • Inappropriate use of firearms
  • Discrimination as defined in Chapter 183.02
  • Poor public relations
  • Reviewing other complaints that may be referred by the Mayor and/or Chief of Police

Expectations

  1. Be impartial and objective to ensure a fair process.
  2. Communicate effectively and listen to others.
  3. Make decisions as part of a group under public scrutiny.
  4. Maintain strict standards of confidentiality.
  5. Comply with Minnesota Government Ethics Law, Minnesota Public Meeting Law, City Code, and Committee rules.
  6. Review sensitive and confidential information that may be graphic in nature.
  7. Commit time to prepare for and attend meetings, participate in trainings, and learn about police policy and procedures (approximately 10-50 hours per month).
  8. To review all complaint investigations, that have been completed by the internal affairs unit of the police or private investigator, related to alleged acts of excessive force, inappropriate use of firearms, discrimination, as defined in Chapter 183.02 of the Code, poor public relations and such other complaints as may be referred by the Mayor, Chief of Police and/or the Director of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity.
  9. Partake in recommendation(s) to the Chief of Police on each complaint the commission reviews. The Chief of Police will make the final decision regarding each complaint including disciplinary actions.
  10. Make recommendations regarding the Saint Paul Police Department’s existing policies and procedures, including recruitment, training, and discipline for consideration by the Chief of Police.
  11. To request issuance of subpoenas for the purpose of interviewing individuals to state facts to supplement files.
  12. To issue report(s) to the Chief of Police, the director of HREEO and the public.

Qualifications

  1. A demonstrated ability to engage in mature, impartial decision making
  2. A commitment to transparency and impartial decision making
  3. Residency within the City of Saint Paul
  4. Must be at least 18 years old
  5. Able to attend all required training including but not limited to the Civilian Police Academy, police ride-along and racial equity training.
  6. There is no minimum required education or work experience to be considered to serve on this board.
  7. Does not have a personal history of unsubstantiated complaints against SPPD that lack any pattern
  8. Please be advised that, as a Commissioner, you will have access to data maintained by the Federal Criminal Justice Information Service which restricts individuals from access to its data who have not passed its background check.
  9. PCIARC candidates must also submit responses to the supplemental essay questions when applying online. 

PCIARC Application Supplemental Questions

  1. Describe any personal attitudes, life experiences, and prior examples that demonstrate you can make objective, impartial, evidence - based decisions about complaints against the police.
  2. Have you, a close friend, or a family member ever worked or volunteered in the criminal justice system? If yes, please describe.
  3. Have you or a family member ever participated in an organization that advocates a position regarding the police or the criminal justice system? If yes, please describe.
  4. Describe your perceptions of the police and how you came to hold those perceptions.
  5. Describe your comfort level disagreeing with a community member who thinks an officer engaged in misconduct, but the evidence does not support the allegation?

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this commission please contact civilianreview@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Last Edited: January 8, 2019