Over the past two decades, hundreds of Minnesota law enforcement officers have been convicted of criminal offenses. Most were never disciplined by the state. A Star Tribune investigation reveals that Minnesota's licensing system failed repeatedly to hold some officers accountable for reckless or violent conduct -- including, brawls, stalking, and domestic violence.
From the Star Tribune:
Read Full Article »Law enforcement leaders say it's important for citizens to have confidence that officers are held to the highest ethical standards — on duty or off duty. In fact, Minnesota's model code of ethics says that officers shall not discredit themselves or their agency either on-duty or off. Yet Minnesota seems to have developed a culture of second chances for those who wear a badge, said Neil Melton, a former Bloomington police officer who ran Minnesota's licensing board for 16 years.
“Benefit of the doubt. Benefit of the doubt. Benefit of the doubt,” Melton said. “At what point do we say enough is enough?”
