Please send the letter below to Gov Dayton today. Veto SF1981
Sent the letter below to Dayton today. Please feel free to contact his office and urge a veto: http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/
Dear Governor Dayton:
I am writing on behalf of Communities United Against Police Brutality, a twin-cities based grassroots human rights organization striving for police accountability. Although we are a local organization, we are highly regarded nationally as a model for similar organizations, winning a number of awards. Our efforts have been highlighted in three books and several articles.
We write to ask you to veto SF1981, which modifies state statute 626.89 to preclude civilian review authorities and similar bodies from making findings of fact in complaints they adjudicate.
This bill was advanced by the Minneapolis Police Federation for the sole purpose of undermining community oversight of police. Despite the fact that the Minneapolis police chief almost never takes disciplinary action on sustained complaints by the Minneapolis Civilian Review Authority, Federation representatives stated during testimony at the capitol that their goal is to prevent the adjudication of complaints that can become discoverable through public data requests or in civil or criminal proceedings. This is a nefarious goal and an ignoble way to achieve it.
Although the bill was proposed by forces in Minneapolis it will affect the entire state, constricting the efforts of community members in Duluth and elsewhere who are attempting to start oversight bodies in their areas. Essentially, it renders these bodies toothless and eliminates meaningful community oversight of the police.
We urge you to veto SF1981, a one-sided bill that strips power from the community.
Sincerely,
Michelle Gross, President
Communities United Against Police Brutality
