Rochester May Soon Have Police Policy Oversight Commission
It appears Rochester may soon have a new citizens commission that will have oversight over the city Police Department’s policies.
Questions about the department’s intelligence gathering operations led to the assignment of a committee whose members included representatives from the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission, the local chapter of the NAACP, the police department and other groups. After months of discussion and compromises, the committee developed a proposed ordinance that was reviewed Monday by the City Council.
It calls for 7 members who will review and comment on all policies, practices and procedures that have been or may be adopted by the Police Department. One of the members will be nominated by the Human Rights Commission and another by the NAACP chapter. The ordinance says any policies the commission has questions about will be discussed with the chief and if not resolved, could be taken up by the mayor and City Council.
The Council Monday asked the committee to consider a few possible changes. Some council members questioned a provision that would ban current and former city employees from serving on the commission. The police department’s union representative also raised some concerns but told the Council it will not oppose the ordinance.
It’s expected the proposed ordinance will be brought back to the Council next week for more discussion and a possible vote.