Frustration, Anger at Minneapolis Police Oversight Plan

A city of Minneapolis plan to overhaul how misconduct complaints against police officers are received, investigated, and adjudicated came under withering criticism from residents Thursday night, as some accused city officials of drafting the plan "shrouded in secrecy," and without sufficient input from key constituencies.

"It's a sham," said Chuck Turchick, a resident who said he has attended both of the community meetings about the proposed ordinance changes that would scrap the Civilian Review Authority. A third and final community meeting is planned for Tuesday.

"This was intended, from the outset, to not be an open process," Turchick said.

Velma Korbel, the director of the city's Civil Right Department, was frequently interrupted by residents who questioned the proposal, the city's commitment to independent oversight of the police, and even the very questions Korbel was posing to them to get their feedback.

At one point in the 90 minute meeting, residents effectively forced a halt to the meeting so they could come up with their own list of questions for Korbel and the two city council members who were present, Meg Tuthill and Don Samuels.

"We're trying to make this more efficient, to make it fairer, to make it transparent and also to make it a little more efficient," Korbel told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in an interview before the meeting began.

Watch our story above for a list of the proposed changes.

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