Pillar two emphasizes that if police are to carry out their responsibilities according to established policies, those policies must reflect community values. Law enforcement agencies should collaborate with community members, especially in communities and neighborhoods disproportionately affected by crime, to develop policies and strategies for deploying resources that aim to reduce crime by improving relationships, increasing community engagement and fostering cooperation.

Examples of the ways the police department demonstrates best practices in policy and oversight

• Community collaboration is a priority for the police department and is strengthened through efforts like the multicultural advisory committee (MAC), chaplaincy program, Citizens’ Police Academy, New Americans Academies, Neighborhood Watch, partnerships with the Rotary Club and Treehouse, and many more.
• Professional conduct is not only an expectation; a policy that supports these values is in place that defines courtesy, balances civil rights and mandates impartial policing. These core values are reinforced through hiring, a strong department culture, training and oversight.
• The department regularly reviews crime trends, works with other law enforcement agencies and city departments, and partners with businesses and religious groups to develop effective policies and strategies.
• The department’s plan to provide more than 40 hours of crisis intervention training for all sworn officers through the Minnesota Crisis Intervention Team is nearing two-thirds completion. This training provides an in-depth look at mental illness and its implications for law enforcement, covering mental illness, cognitive disorders, substance disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the workings of the mental health courts. Role-playing exercises make up about half of the course and feature trained role-players and fact-based scenarios emphasizing verbal communication and de-escalation.
• Officers are required to wear name badges on their uniforms and have business cards which are encouraged to be given to the public during encounters or when requested.
• The department follows Minnesota State Statute 169.985 which states that a law enforcement agency may not order, mandate, require or suggest a quota to a peace officer for the issuance of traffic citations.
• The department’s use-of-force policy recognizes the sanctity of life, provides for the least amount of force reasonably necessary to accomplish the intended objective without impairing the safety of others, adheres to our community’s expectations and follows Minnesota state statutes and federal laws. The policy is reinforced through numerous training methods.
• The department has a proven critical incident policy that leverages outside agencies to provide independence, protect public safety, foster trust in and accountability for law enforcement, and address the needs of personnel who have been exposed to threatening circumstances and acute stress.
• Body-worn cameras and squad cameras are used to allow for transparency and accountability in policing, protect the civil rights of the community, capture evidence and assist with accurate report writing. A policy was created with extensive input from community stakeholders, as well as an audit program that includes regular supervisory review of footage.
• Holster triggers are used to activate body-worn cameras since we recognize the importance of capturing footage during critical incidents.
• The police department works closely with city leadership and the city council to ensure strategic priorities are in line with citywide services and community expectations.