Dangers and Downsides of Minneapolis’ New Online Police Feedback Tool

Last week the Minneapolis Police Department announced a new, easier way for community members to submit feedback about their officers online. Users can now submit both complaints and compliments via the internet. However, many are questioning the positive aspects of this change.

 The MPD fails to clearly inform users of what can be done with the information they choose to submit. For example, the so-called False-Reporting Law is not mentioned on the online form.

The False Reporting Law allows citizens who have accused police of misconduct or brutality to be charged with a felony if the complaint is not found in the citizens' favor. According to data compiled by Communities United Against Police Brutality, a local watchdog group, Minneapolis' Civilian Review Authority and Internal Affairs rarely find in favor of citizens when they allege police misconduct.

The new online form fails to mention clearly that any information a user submits can (and will) be used against them in a court of law if they have criminal charges pending.

According to a March 26th News Release from the Minneapolis Police Department, compliments about officers will be placed in their personnel file. However, the News Release does not say that complaints will be placed in the officer's personnel file, nor does it say that the officers' may be disciplined.

The community has raised criticism regarding the disconnect between Police Chief Dolan and the Civilian Review Authority before regarding discipline (or lack thereof). The Civilian Review Authority recommends disciplinary action to Dolan, but ultimately these decisions are made by Dolan. Almost all disciplinary recommendations made by the Civilian Review Authority have been ignored by Dolan, who often fails to give officers real consequences for misconduct.

While easier and more effective ways to submit feedback to the Minneapolis Police Department could be a wonderful tool, many remain skeptical of efforts that essentially use the same agencies that have been failing the community for years.