new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin As used in this section, "law enforcement agency" has the
meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), but does not include state-level
law enforcement agencies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Councils required. new text end

new text begin The governing body of each local unit of government that
oversees a law enforcement agency shall establish a citizen oversight council in compliance
with this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Council membership. new text end

new text begin The membership of a citizen oversight council must
reflect a broad cross section of the community it represents, including the community's
minority and youth populations. The membership must also include individuals who often
come into contact with, or who are affected by, the peace officers of the law enforcement
agency that the council oversees, other than suspects who are in criminal investigations.
The membership of the majority of a council must be weighted toward citizen members.
However, a council may also include members that reflect other specific viewpoints, such
as law enforcement, prosecutors, educators, clergy, and business and commercial leaders.
A council shall elect a chair from among its members at its first meeting.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Operation of council; powers and duties. new text end

new text begin (a) A citizen oversight council shall
meet on a regular basis. Meetings are open to the public and public testimony may be taken.
new text end

new text begin (b) A council's purpose is to encourage and provide community participation in the
operation of the law enforcement agency it oversees. A council shall work collaboratively
with the governing body of the local unit of government with authority over the agency and
the agency's chief law enforcement officer.
new text end

new text begin (c) A council may make recommendations and provide assessments relating to any facet
of the operation of the agency, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) law enforcement tactics and strategies, such as community policing;
new text end

new text begin (2) the budget for the agency, including priorities on where money should be spent;
new text end

new text begin (3) training of the agency's peace officers;
new text end

new text begin (4) employment policies, such as residency requirements and minority hiring;
new text end

new text begin (5) the substantive operation of the agency relating to such matters as use of force,
profiling, diversion, data collection, equipment, militarization, general investigatory practices,
officer-initiated use of force investigations, and cooperation with other law enforcement
agencies; and
new text end

new text begin (6) personnel decisions.
new text end

new text begin In addition, a council may evaluate the performance of the agency and the agency's chief
law enforcement officer. A council may recommend whether to extend the chief's term and
on hiring a successor to the chief when a vacancy occurs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Investigations into police misconduct. new text end

new text begin A citizen oversight council may conduct
an investigation into allegations of peace officer misconduct and retain an investigator to
facilitate an investigation. Subject to other applicable law, a council may subpoena or compel
testimony and documents in an investigation. Upon completion of an investigation, a council
may recommend appropriate discipline.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Duties of chief law enforcement officer. new text end

new text begin The chief law enforcement officer
of a law enforcement agency under the jurisdiction of a citizen oversight council shall
cooperate with the council and facilitate the council's achievement of its goals. However,
the officer is under no obligation to agree with individual recommendations of the council
and may oppose a recommendation. If the officer fails to implement a recommendation that
is within the officer's authority, the officer shall inform the council of the failure along with
the officer's underlying reasons.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Duties of governing body. new text end

new text begin A governing body shall ensure that a council is
given the opportunity to comment in a meaningful way on any matter within its jurisdiction.
This opportunity must occur with sufficient time before action on the matter is required.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Other applicable law. new text end

new text begin Chapters 13 and 13D apply to oversight councils under
this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Annual report. new text end

new text begin A citizen oversight council shall release an annual report that
addresses its activities. At a minimum, the report must summarize the council's activities
for the past year; recommendations made by the council, including what actions, if any,
were taken by other entities in response to the recommendations; and the amount of money
spent for the council's operation and the money's source.
new text end