Law enforcement culture should embrace a guardian mindset to build public trust and legitimacy. Toward that end, police and sheriff’s departments should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve.

Department
Police
Number
1.1
Related Pillar
Pillar 1: Trust and Legitimacy

1.1 Law enforcement culture should embrace a guardian mindset to build public trust and legitimacy. Toward that end, police and sheriff’s departments should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve.

SPPD embraces 21st Century policing

The Saint Paul Police Department has a long history of delivering trusted service with respect each and every day, without exception – through proactive problem-solving, community outreach and collaboration with residents and community groups.

The Saint Paul Police Department highly regards the values defined in the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and demonstrates these core beliefs in training, evaluation processes and policy.  The department is guided by the guardian principle of providing trusted service with respect.

St. Paul's new police chief promises full review of policies
Pioneer Press | Sept. 28, 2016

Task Status: Established Practice

1.1 Law enforcement culture should embrace a guardian mindset to build public trust and legitimacy. Toward that end, police and sheriff’s departments should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve.

SPPD trains procedurally just behaviors

The Saint Paul Police Department trains its new officers on the fundamentals of procedurally just behaviors and defines the department’s standards of what it means to provide trusted service with respect. These core principles are demonstrated throughout the department’s manual: 

  • Conveying trustworthy motives 
  • Treating people with dignity and respect 
  • All eight principles governing proper conduct 
  • Being neutral and transparent in decision-making 

Note: G.O. 230.13 Conduct Unbecoming a Peace Officer (principles three and five) is applicable to this recommendation item as well.

Reference Data

G.O. 150.06
G.O. 160.02
G.O. 160.03
G.O. 160.04
G.O. 160.05
G.O. 230.13

Task Status: Established Practice

1.1 Law enforcement culture should embrace a guardian mindset to build public trust and legitimacy. Toward that end, police and sheriff’s departments should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve.

SPPD evaluates procedurally just behaviors

New Saint Paul police officers are evaluated daily on their demonstration of procedurally just behaviors. Officer trainees must not only demonstrate police technical skills, they must exhibit (and training officers must document) their ability to show the following 15 character traits featured in the Field Training Manual:

1. Good Judgment 6. Commanding 11. Enthusiastic
2. Integrity 7. Courageous 12. Creative
3. Responsible 8. Self-Motivated 13. Tolerant
4. Self-Confident 9. Understanding 14. Interactive
5. Respectfulness 10. Tenacious 15. Compassionate

Task Status: Established Practice

1.1 Law enforcement culture should embrace a guardian mindset to build public trust and legitimacy. Toward that end, police and sheriff’s departments should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve.

SPPD prioritizes community policing

Community engagement is the responsibility of every unit and every member of the department. It is a top priority of the Saint Paul Police Department. Many units who do not have direct contact with the community have taken steps toward enhanced community engagement. Here is one specific example:

Every unit within the Saint Paul Police Department participates and attends the Safe Summer Nights events.  Patrol officers, investigators, all command ranks and support staff take their turn serving food, greeting kids and families, and talking about the police department.  Come meet the members of the department who do not patrol your neighborhoods but work each day for a safer and better Saint Paul.  You can also see a demonstration by our bicycle unit, canine unit and far more.  The Safe Summer Nights program is vitality important to the Saint Paul Police Department- as are the relationships that are formed and strengthened during this police-community event.

We hope to see you there!

Reference Data

Safe Summer Nights 2020 calendar

Safe Summer Nights Website

Task Status: Established Practice

Last Edited: March 20, 2017