Minneapolis, MN
Judge rules Minneapolis police ‘coaching’ records not public, sends narrow case to trial
A Hennepin County judge on Wednesday ruled that Minneapolis’ longstanding policy that coaching, a form of one-on-one mentoring to address police policy infractions, does not constitute formal discipline — meaning that city officials are entitled to shield such misconduct records from public scrutiny.
The decision marks a significant blow to the nonprofit Minnesota Coalition On Government Information (MNCOGI), a watchdog group that waged a three-year legal battle to expose how the Minneapolis Police Department used the secretive coaching process.
In her 50-page order, Judge Karen Janisch waved off internal city documents, including letters addressed to police officers explicitly referring to coaching as a type of “discipline,” as simply “clumsy and imprecise” language. She agreed with the city’s assessment that coaching was a “performance management device” to correct minor violations.
“The undisputed facts in the record establish that coaching is not imposed by the City as a form of disciplinary action intended to penalize or punish employees and this is a part of a mutual understanding between the City and officers as established through the parties respective rights and obligations under [Public Employee Labor Relations Act] PELRA and collective bargaining,” Janisch wrote in her summary judgement.
“Because the imposing of coaching is not a disciplinary action, documents related to coaching are private personnel data and not a final disciplinary action under [Minnesota statute.]”
A coaching memo filed as an exhibit in a lawsuit by the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information. (Minnesota Coalition on Government Information court filing)
That decision largely dismisses a protracted civil case that has long sought to make such police misconduct records public. Yet, MNCOGI may still pursue trial for allegations that Minneapolis violated state data laws by withholding particular non-personnel records.
The Minneapolis Police Department has used coaching more than any other means of dealing with police complaints over the past decade.
Attorneys for the city argue this gentler form of corrective action doesn’t amount to real discipline, and they don’t have to disclose any records to the public under Minnesota law. Critics have for years contended that the lack of transparency amounts to a rhetorical loophole the police department uses to keep bad behavior hidden.
At the Minneapolis Convention Center, it’s horns honking, engines revving and car gurus gathering under one big roof.
The Twin Cities Auto Show began on Saturday. This year, it’s running earlier than normal.
“I like the old stuff, you know, the older vehicles. I love ’em,” said Mickey Strickler of Minneapolis.
The show welcomes everyone under the sun to “lookie-loo” or wander in with a purpose. Chris Leeman of Zimmerman is getting a look at possible future rides for his wife.
“We came here just to get kind of an all-around fit and feel of what she might like in the next year or two,” Leeman said. “The Toyota cars right now ain’t quite to the standard that I think I want my wife to be in.”
There’s more than 325 vehicles inside the convention center. Nobody is able to sell or haggle on the showroom floor.
“The show reflects the car business in a lot of ways,” said Scott Lambert, president of the Twin Cities Auto Show. “Electric vehicles are in a big reset right now.”
WCCO spoke to some attendees who gave their opinions of the automotive industry’s current state.
“I think it sucks,” Strickler said. “It’s not like it used to be. It’s hard to find good vehicles now.”
“I like the Mazda 90 because of the inline-six engine,” said Laun Aiken of Sauk Rapids. “I’m old school. I grew up driving inline-six vehicles, and so for them to reintroduce it into their line is kind of interesting.”
The show runs now through Jan. 11. Tickets can be purchased online. First responders get in for free.
A 17-year-old boy is dead after shots were fired into a Minneapolis home where he was on Sunday evening.
Police said officers responded to the shooting on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North around 6:26 p.m. They found the boy, who was suffering from an “apparent life-threatening gunshot wound.”
The officers provided him with medical aid before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a written statement that his agency will “devote every available resource to bring justice” for the boy and his family.
Investigators are working to learn the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to email Minneapolis police or leave a voicemail for them at 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, or called in to them at 1-800-222-8477.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Sunday’s winter storm is making travel difficult and not advised across most of southern Minnesota.
Several Twin Cities communities have already declared snow emergencies as the metro is expected to get between four and seven inches of snow, depending on where you live.
Minneapolis Snow Emergency
What we know:
The City of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency Sunday, going into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Residents must get their vehicles off city streets, or they’re at risk for getting towed. Here are the rules for this snow emergency:
- 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 to 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 1)Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 2)Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of a parkway until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 (Day 3)Do not park on the ODD numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed.
Other snow emergencies
Timeline:
Here are other cities that have also declared snow emergencies. Check your city’s web site for what the parking rules are in the event of a snow emergency so plows can clear streets, and you won’t be fined and/or towed.
- Belle Plaine
- Bloomington
- Crystal
- Eden Prairie
- Elk River
- Montevideo
- New Hope
- Northfield
- Richfield
- Robbinsdale
- St. Louis Park
- St. James
- West St. Paul
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