Oversight commission adopts resolution asking police chief to explain departures from panel discipline recommendations

The Community Commission on Police Oversight unanimously adopted a resolution on Oct. 15 requesting that the Minneapolis Police Department chief provide written explanations when final disciplinary decisions depart from review-panel recommendations.

Commissioner Smith introduced the one-page resolution and said it "recites our authority to make recommendations to the chief of police" and seeks transparency when the chief departs from a panel's recommended discipline. The resolution asks the chief to provide a written explanation and justification for any departure from a review-panel recommendation and to provide the commission a copy of such explanations for cases with final dispositions since Jan. 1, 2023.

The resolution additionally asks the Civil Rights Department to provide summary data for cases in which panel recommendations exist but final discipline is not yet imposed. The requested summary would include the total number of police-misconduct cases considered by the chief since Jan. 1, 2023; the number of cases in which the chief departed upward or downward from panel recommendations; and alleged violations associated with departures, "and as much other relevant summary information as can be provided under the Data Practices Act," the resolution says.

Commissioner Smith moved adoption; Commissioner Baker seconded. The clerk called the roll and the measure passed 8-0. The clerk recorded ayes from Commissioners McElhinney, Palmer, Baker, Zyla, Bartz, Smith, Vice Chair Olsen and Chair Latanya Reeves. The commission chair declared the resolution adopted.

The resolution does not specify a reporting format beyond the requested written explanations and the review of available summary statistics, and it does not set a legally binding timeline for responses. Commissioners thanked staff and the city attorney's office for input while adopting the measure.