Diagnostic Analysis of Minneapolis Police Department, MN: Opportunities for Evidence-Based Technical Assistance

• NCJ Number: 250601
• Date Published: January 2015
• Length: 35 pages
• Agencies: OJP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description; Case Study

Annotation

This is a report on the training and technical assistance (TTA) provided by the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Diagnostic Center to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in response to its request for help to improve police accountability based on industry standards for handling complaints, managing police oversight and discipline, and preventing police misconduct.

Abstract

The Diagnostic Center gave priority to assessing the scope of police misconduct, conducting gap analysis for the police accountability process, and reviewing early intervention systems in MPD and model practices for an early intervention system (EIS). In assessing the scope of police misconduct, the Diagnostic Center collected and analyzed citizen complaints filed against Minneapolis police officers from 2008 through 2013; identified patterns and trends in citizen complaint data, including volume, processing, and dispositions; and obtained input from stakeholders on perceptions of police performance and legitimacy. In conducting gap analysis for the police accountability process, the Diagnostic Center conducted on-site interviews with key stakeholders, including MPD municipal agencies and community representatives, and it analyzed strengths and gaps related to oversight, discipline, and accountability. The review of existing EIS in MPD and model EIS practices included a literature review of promising EIS models and practices and a review of the history of EIS in MPD. Opportunities were identified for aligning MPD approaches to promising practices. The MPD's use of coaching was also assessed. Issues addressed in the Diagnostic Center's recommendations are outlined, along with the strategic improvement needed and relevant model practices. Extensive tables and figures