During the Jan. 6 general public comment period, James Bialata addressed the City Council and presented allegations regarding the Rapid City Police Department, including claims that officers and detectives committed perjury, that officers turned off or muted body cameras at their discretion, and that evidence requests or court orders have been resisted.

Bialata told the council he had brought a packet "to put into the official record" and requested five minutes to speak; the council chair confirmed the standard three-minute limit and Bialata proceeded with three minutes. He said he had filed an intention to sue two years earlier and described video and audio evidence he said supported his claims. He also named a specific officer and supervisor, saying, "Sergeant Hunt specifically discussed with an officer political retribution of not allowing people to run for office while on body cam or dash cam." He alleged detectives had declined to prosecute where video suggested police misconduct and referenced a deed/mortgage book entry he said recorded a former mayor's residency claim.

Nut graf: Bialata's remarks were presented as allegations during the public-comment portion of the meeting; the council did not discuss or take action on those allegations at the Jan. 6 meeting.

The council did not respond substantively to the allegations during the meeting; the chair reminded Bialata of the time limit and said he could submit additional materials by email for council review. Bialata said the packet "is in front of you" and asked that it be included in the record.

Ending: Because the comments were part of general public comment, no council investigation, staff direction, or formal council action was recorded in the transcript on Jan. 6. Any follow-up or official response is not recorded in the meeting minutes provided.