June 4, 2004 - The U.S. Justice Department has determined that no federal criminal charges should be filed against two Minneapolis police officers accused of sexually assaulting a suspect last October. Officers Todd Babekuhl and Jeff Jindra were accused of sodomizing Stephen Porter with a toilet plunger handle during a drug raid at a north Minneapolis home. Minneapolis police say the determination means the case is closed. But some community activists say the case isn't necessarily done yet.
June 10, 2004 - In the last two weeks, two men have died after being restrained by police officers, one in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul. In both cases, the police used non-lethal methods to take them into custody. Investigations and autopsy results are pending. Studies show that generally, there's not just one factor that leads to the fatality in these situations. Some say police officers can avoid these kinds of deaths, through better training. But law enforcement officials say police custody deaths are rare and the use of this kind of force is sometimes the only way to handle a violent suspect.
June 11, 2004 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Meth in Minnesota,” MPR’s Tom Post reports on the various new challenges methamphetamine creates for Minneosta law enforcement.
June 16, 2004 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Meth in Minnesota,” MPR’s Jeff Horwich reports on the expanding problem of meth abuse and transport throughout the state.
July 30, 2004 - Several Minneapolis city councilmembers took part in a unique study session on neighborhood crime today. The councilmembers boarded a tour bus and drove through some of the city's most well-known spots for criminal activity. The purpose of the trip was to give them a more personal view of the city's neighborhood crime problem.
August 30, 2004 - Minneapolis Police Chief William McManus met today with several community leaders to discuss concerns raised by a video released this weekend showing an officer striking a handcuffed suspect. After the meeting, community representatives praised police officials for their responsiveness and expressed confidence in an internal police investigation.
August 30, 2004 - Minneapolis community leaders and police are urging residents to let an investigation into allegations of police brutality run its course. Police officials and community representatives met face-to-face today. It's the second meeting since a television report showing video of an officer striking a handcuffed suspect.
August 31, 2004 - Minneapolis community leaders and police are urging residents to let an investigation into allegations of police brutality run its course. Police officials and community representatives met face-to-face today. It's the second meeting since a television report showing video of an officer striking a handcuffed suspect.
September 1, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is asking officials in the state's two largest cities to allow police officers to check people's immigration status. Pawlenty sent a letter to the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils requesting that they change city ordinances that prohibit police officers from checking the papers of people who are not suspected of illegal activity. The governor cited a case in North Carolina where police officers detained an immigrant after they saw him videotaping financial institutions. Minneapolis City Council president Paul Ostrow says giving police officers the powers of federal agents could have a chilling effect on police-community relations.
September 10, 2004 - Minneapolis Police Chief Bill McManus says Governor Pawlenty is wrong to want police officers to arbitrarily check people's immigration status. Earlier this month the governor sent a letter to officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul urging the cities to change the laws which prohibit police officers from asking about a person's immigration status. Pawlenty says such prohibitions compromise security. On Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning program today, McManus said it's a form of racial profiling and he's steadfastly against it.