October 16, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on an alleged sexual assault by Minneapolis police officers. Report includes commentary from R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis Mayor; Keith Ellison, accuser’s attorney; John DelmoMPR’s Art Hughes reports on an alleged sexual assault by Minneapolis police officers. Report includes commentary from R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis; Keith Ellison, accuser’s attorney; John Delmonico, President of Minneapolis Police Federation; and individuals in the community.nico, President of Minneapolis Police Federation; and individuals in the community.
October 23, 2003 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has had plenty of controversies to handle in the last few weeks: an allegation of police brutality, a failed attempt to appoint a new school superintendent, the search for a new police chief, as well as the always-present debate over a new stadium for the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers.
October 23, 2003 - A recent study shows racial profiling occurs across Minnesota. In Bemidji, the study sparked renewed protests by American Indians. They've complained for years that Indians in the region are unfairly targeted by law enforcement. Now, some are demanding action. But law enforcement officials in Bemidji deny racial profiling exists. They say the study is flawed.
October 23, 2003 - Minneapolis police officials were already in the middle of federally mediated talks about their relations with communities of color last week when new allegations of police brutality were made public. An African American man claims that two police officers sexually assaulted him while they were searching him for drugs. The FBI has been called in the investigate the allegations. The truth is still unknown about what happened. However, to many African Americans in Minneapolis , the idea that police could commit such an act is entirely believable.
October 29, 2003 - The Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority meets with the public tonight for the first time in almost two years. The board reviews citizen complaints of police misconduct, but it's largely been out of business since Spring 2002. Elected leaders hope the newly constituted board will improve police accountability. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports, it faces an uphill battle.
October 31, 2003 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on who speaks for Black community. Reports includes comments from church leaders, an academic, a city council member, and resident of the community.
November 18, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rob Schmitz reports the debate in Rochester over the police department's treatment of minorities.
November 24, 2003 - Why can't Minneapolis be more like St. Paul? That's the question some are asking about police community relations. For whatever reason St. Paul appears to avoid the police abuse allegations that dog Minneapolis . Both cities are seeking new chiefs of police because of retirement. But the new Minneapolis police chief inherits strained relations with some of the city's minority residents.
November 25, 2003 - The Minneapolis Police Department will be the subject of an audit under a new project announced today to combat racial profiling. The project was inspired by traffic stop data showing drivers of color in Minneapolis are more likely than white drivers to be pulled over and searched. Members of an audit team will ride along in police vehicles and analyze police procedural manuals to try to determine what's behind the racial disparities in traffic stops. Minneapolis city officials say they hope this model will be adopted by more police departments around the state.
December 4, 2003 - An often-contentious year of negotiations has produced an agreement between Minneapolis police and community members that participants say could reduce tensions that now exist. The federally mediated deal calls for police to be more aware of race and mental health issues, and would create a new panel to oversee compliance of the agreement.