police. Therefore I believe that labor negotiations ought to be done with the
community, with all actions and negotiations being in full public view in the
community. Keep in mind that the Police Federation (police union) were full
participants in our last election to influence that negotiation and policies.
So we the community members should acknowledge that we are already involved and
therefore we should be more actively and deliberately involved.
This is a great forum to actively work out what should be our community
negotiation position on the next police labor contract.
Beginning Positive Statements
Before we start on positions, one should always start with describing the good
things about both negotiating partners.
In the area of supporting constitutional and civil rights, the St Paul police
stand out as extraordinary. At the capital, on the Lake Street bridge and at
Snelling Grand intersection there are regular protests handled with respect,
care, and support. Even the explosive Philandro Castile protests were handled
by the St Paul police with calm, compassion and professional skill. St Paul
police have had incidents that the community questioned, but rarely are those
incidents deadly. St Paul police are much more engaged with the community than
other police forces and it shows in how we, community members, are treated. And
yes, there can be improvement too.
Many years ago, the community of St Paul was outraged when an officer shot the
wrong person but did not riot and trusted the police to fix it internally. In
contrast to other communities, St Paul community gives its officers more
respect. That may come across as more negative talk but that is because St Paul
really does trust and respect its force and really expects them to do better.
Some rules should be set up.
1) That we need to speak with evidence not belief. However, real life testimony
counts. And if no tracking for certain factors exists, then part of this
process should be start tracking so we collect evidence.
2) That intentions and effects are different. We have many unintended
consequences such as racial bias even when there are strongly held values of
equity. Bad effects does not necessarily mean bad character.
3) That both police and community need to see positive improvements out of a
new agreement.
4) Statements about salary comparisons with other communities must include all
benefits like uniform allowances.
Understanding of Each Group's Needs and Desires
My understanding of what police would like is
1) more financial compensation
2) more respect from the community
3) better working conditions like more comfortable uniforms
4) better support for shift work
5) reduction in low-priority 911 calls
6) community changing attitudes to actively stop teenagers from using guns 7)
communities providing services on domestic conflict training, job support,
homeless support and mental illness because these issues are not best solved by
police
8) diverse communities should encourage and support members of their own
communities in being officers.
My understanding of what the community wants is
1) The chief should be able to enforce use-of-force standards and fire
bad-apple officers like now retired Officer Lee. Arbitration should not be
allowed to reinstate officers fired for use-of-force issues.
2) Officers should be of good character, who look like the community and who
feel very much a part of the community. Officers should live and participate in
the community not just work here.
3) Officers should be more calm and use much less force. It is hard to trust an
officer whose hand is always twitching towards her/his gun. Officers should
treat people like they would treat friends and family in similar circumstances.
4) Pursue more white-collar crimes, rich crimes and corporate crimes instead of
going after poor people. Less traffic stops for minor traffic violations. Less
policing for crimes of being poor.
Proposed Changes to Police Labor Contract
1) $600,000 is taken from general legal settlement fund and set aside just from
police legal settlement on yearly basis ending in November. In November,
unused funds are distributed equally to all officers who have served on street
duty that year. That is roughly $1000 per officer before taxes. The officer get
a financial reward. The community gets officers motivated to ensure more calm,
respect and better treatment of community members.
2) Use-of-force issues no longer go to arbitration. They are advised by
civilian review board and then decided by the Chief. The police will be more
likely to be able to collect the $1000 per officer bonus from above step and
will experience more community approval. The community will see the removal of
the bad-apple officers.
3) Each officer gets $200 per month bonus for each month living in St Paul.
Officers cannot have two residences. Officers would get about a $2400 yearly
raise. The community would get officers who care more and are more invested in
the community.
4) In this year, a survey is set up for city residents. Results must include a
high proportion of city residents that also has a high confidence in being
representative of all. Results are reported out by question, gender, race, age,
income level, ethnic group, neighborhood and amount of direct contact with
police. Individual commentary is also included. Using this year, as a base
year, a wage increase of $100 per officer per percentage point of improvement
is a guideline. Special needs areas may also generate additional increases.
5) Uniforms and equipment purchase and maintenance should be paid for by the
department. Right now there is a need for women to have specially designed
comfortable bullet-proof vests. The belt and gear should be as light weight as
possible to minimize back issues that currently occur. The police would see
less cost and more comfort. The community should see happier officer and less
medical back-problems costs.
I invite everyone to come up with more creative solutions that we can afford
and that benefits both police and the community. In the spirit of community,
the St Paul police are us and we should take care of us.
Respectfully submitted by
Grace Kelly nicknamed Kelly
Still involved in policing from the fabulous Frogtown neighborhood