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<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\nTwo turbulent years of revelations about Minneapolis police misconduct that began with the murder of George Floyd are reshaping a state agency denounced by many for failing to rein in bad cops.<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Board of Police Officer Standards and Training, better known as the POST board, approved new rules this spring that would allow the board to revoke the license of an officer who violates its conduct guidelines, whether or not the officer has been charged or convicted of a crime. The board now can revoke a license only when an officer is convicted of a felony or certain gross misdemeanors.<\/p>\n
The proposed change is applauded by former Minneapolis Police Chief John Laux, who served as the board\u2019s executive director from 1995 to 1998. \u201cIt is long overdue that the POST board has some teeth in it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The rules also would bar a police officer from membership in extremist groups, such as a white supremacist organization. And the rules would beef up a wide range of other police conduct regulations, including standards on excessive force.<\/p>\n
The rules, approved by the board on a 9-3 vote, need approval from the governor, followed by a 30-day comment period and a public hearing \u2014 expected this fall \u2014 that could lead to additional modifications by the board.<\/p>\n
An administrative law judge will review the comments and testimony and issue a report, possibly in November, followed by final board action. The rules would then be published and take effect five days later.<\/p>\n
Some of the changes have already drawn criticism. Some critics say individual cities and departments, not the POST board, should discipline misbehaving officers. Others say the language banning membership in extremist groups is too broad.<\/p>\n
This story is part of a collaboration between the\u00a0Star Tribune<\/a>\u00a0and FRONTLINE that includes\u00a0the upcoming documentary\u00a0Police on Trial<\/a>, which premieres on PBS on May 31 at 10 p.m. ET.<\/i><\/p>\n