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Apparently, the city council has allotted $200,000
for a "replacement" Civilian Review Authority (
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/1628811.html
). Since the CRA was not effective with a $457,000, it is unlikely
to accomplish anything with less than one-half that amount. Although
the problems are not just based on money, $200,000 might cover a staff of
3 plus essential overhead expenses - clearly not enough to investigate and
enforce proper police procedures for a police department with about 1000
officers. The short term savings from a meaningless Civilian Review
Authority will likely result in more money from lawsuits in the long
run.
Given the limited funds now allotted, it seems that
giving the oversight powers to the Civil Rights Commission may be the only
promising solution. This would be more cost effective because it would use
the infrastructure and staff of an existing agency that already does
similar tasks. The City Council, however, would have to pass or amend
ordinances to expand the Civil Rights Commission's powers and
responsibilities. These changes would have to include the power to
investigate and make findings regarding the violation of police department
policies. Additional powers should also include the following: 1)
the ability to award damages for police misconduct for ANY case, regardless of
whether it is based on discrimination; 2) the power to impose discpline on
officers rather than just make recommendations to the chief as is the case with
the current CRA; and 3) the power to investigate and require the police
department to make changes in police department policies and practices that are
determined to cause systemic problems. The Civil Rights Commission already
has subpoena power which is a signficant advantage over the CRA.
Jordan Kushner
Powderhorn, Ward 8
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