January 24, 2008 - The Golden Valley city council has approved a one million dollar police brutality lawsuit settlement. Last year a jury ruled that city police officers used excessive force against Al Hixon and awarded him more than 700 thousand dollars. The city asked for a reduction in the award and for a new trial. Both were denied by a federal court judge. Hixon's attorney Andrew Parker says police officers were told that a white man had robbed a bank. But they forcefully detained Hixon, who is African American. Parker says the two officers stepped on Hixon's neck and shot pepper into his face at close range.
June 17, 2008 - A public hearing will be held tonight in Minneapolis to gather input about the police department's Internal Affairs Unit. The meeting is part of an audit conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, DC-based group which characterizes its membership as 'progressive police executives' from around the country. The city council authorized the audit last year in order to evaluate Internal Affairs investigations. Police accountability advocate Michelle Gross says the unit rarely sustains complaints from community members.
June 25, 2008 - The Morrison County Government Center in Little Falls is expected to reopen today after a frightening incident yesterday. Police officers shot and killed a man who took nearly a dozen hostages during a Morrison county commission meeting. It turns out the gunman had several disputes with the county in recent years.
July 14, 2008 - A federal grand jury has indicted a Minneapolis police officer on corruption charges. Officer Michael David Roberts is scheduled to make a first appearance tomorrow morning on charges he used his position as a cop to acquire and sell information for $200.
July 15, 2008 - A Minneapolis police officer facing federal corruption charges pleaded NOT guilty today. A federal grand jury Monday indicted Michael David Roberts on charges he gave private police information to a self-identified gang member in exchange for $200. Roberts' attorney F. Clayton Tyler said the government entrapped his client:.
July 15, 2008 - A defense attorney says Minneapolis police officer Michael Roberts was entrapped by federal investigators. Roberts, a 27 year veteran of the force, is accused of taking 200 dollars from a gang member in exchange for non-public information. Prosecutors also say Roberts filed a false police report. At the time of the transactions, the gang member was working as an informant for the government. Minneapolis police chief Tim Dolan wouldn't comment on details of the investigation. But Dolan says the department has strict standards for officer behavior.
July 15, 2008 - Minneapolis police officer Michael Roberts pleaded not guilty to corruption charges today in federal court. Roberts, a 27-year veteran of the force, is accused of giving confidential information to a gang member in exchange for money. The case raises some sensitive issues for leaders of the police department. How to assure citizens the alleged actions are isolated. And, that officer Roberts, who is African-American, is not being singled out because of his race.
July 15, 2008 - A federal grand jury has indicted a Minneapolis police officer on corruption charges. Officer Michael David Roberts is scheduled to make a first appearance tomorrow morning on charges he used his position as a cop to acquire and sell information for $200.
July 23, 2008 - Later this week, Minneapolis city officials will discuss the progress of a discrimination lawsuit brought against the city by five African American police officers. The officers filed the suit late last year, alleging they'd been denied promotions and unfairly disciplined because of their race. Police officials deny claims of bias. Mayoral spokesman Jeremy Hanson says the council and mayor will hold a closed door discussion, but may not take any action on the lawsuit.
July 23, 2008 - This week, the Minneapolis city council and mayor will get a progress report on a lawsuit involving the city's police department. The suit alleges that five African American police officers were denied advancement and unfairly disciplined because of their race. Police officials dispute the allegations. And they say the department is making strides toward a more diverse police force.