High-Ranking Mpls. Police Officer Under Investigation

Minneapolis Police have confirmed there is an open investigation into Lt. Lee Edwards. This is the second Internal Affairs investigation into Lt. Edwards' conduct in the past three years.

Police will not comment on the nature of the investigation, but sources say it involves his unusual behavior at K-Mart on Lake Street.

Sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that security identified a man who walked into the store and later walked out without paying for it as Lt. Lee Edwards. Sources say Lt. Edwards later returned with the merchandise and told K-Mart security he was doing an independent test of their security.

The incident happened several weeks ago, and there were no arrests or any charges filed. But, sources say the Internal Affairs Unit decided to look into the matter because they could not determine if Lt. Edwards had authority to conduct such an unusual security check.

We contacted K-Mart's parent company and they declined to comment other than to say they, too, are investigating the matter. Lt. Edwards filed a discrimination lawsuit against the City in 2011 and that case is not yet resolved. Lt. Edwards remains on the job at the Fifth Precinct and he will stay there until the Internal Affairs investigation is completed.

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