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Saint Paul City Council adopts resolution ordering audits and reviews after ICE operation response
Summary
The Saint Paul City Council unanimously adopted a resolution directing an internal use-of-force review, coordination with the Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training, a financial audit of the Nov. 25 operation, and a review of the city separation ordinance after residents reported tear gas, pepper spray and rubber-bullet use during federal immigration enforcement. (5 in favor, none opposed).
The Saint Paul City Council adopted a resolution directing multiple reviews and audits after community reports and footage showed force used during federal immigration enforcement operations in late November.
Councilmember Coleman introduced the resolution, citing eyewitness accounts and video that “our officers deployed tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets, striking members of the public who are there exercising their constitutional right to observe and to protest,” and said the events have raised questions about decision-making inside the Saint Paul Police Department and compliance with the city’s separation ordinance. Coleman told the council the city will rely on several parallel processes: an internal review by the department’s integrity unit, coordination with the Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training for an external review, and a financial audit by the Office of Financial Services to determine public costs related to the operation.
The resolution also directs staff to review the city separation ordinance in January and to consider options the council can take quickly “to limit gathering sites for ICE in our city,” language Coleman said responds to community calls for additional policy action.
Councilmember Yang and Council Vice President Kim each spoke in support. Yang described the incident’s effects on families and on use of public spaces, saying the operations forced closures at an Arlington Hills library and rec center; Kim urged a public forum where observers and residents can share experiences and asked constituents to “get trained” as constitutional observers to document operations safely and to support legal aid for those affected.
Councilmembers stressed that the resolution pairs urgent, short-term actions (the ordinance review and audit) with longer investigations and partnerships. After discussion, the council adopted the measure by a voice vote recorded as 5 in favor, none opposed.
What happens next: the city will receive and review the internal integrity-unit report, work with POST on a parallel review of force, direct the Office of Financial Services to audit the November 25 operation’s costs, and bring proposed changes to the separation ordinance to the council for further consideration in January. The council also committed to pursuing other policy responses raised by the public.
