St. Paul council delays vote on police force review tied to ICE operation
The St. Paul City Council postponed a planned Dec. 3 vote to launch a formal review of police use of force during the Nov. 25 ICE raid on Rose Avenue, pushing action to a later meeting. Council members and community groups are demanding investigations — including audits of public costs, a review of the city’s separation ordinance, and probes into use of pepper balls, less‑lethal munitions and chemical irritants — after activists and independent observers alleged policy violations, injuries to protesters and journalists, and have called for release of body‑camera footage.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- St. Paul City Council members have formally called for an investigation into SPPD’s use of force during the Nov. 25 ICE federal operation and subsequent protest; this is the council’s first formal action tied to the incident and members initially planned to initiate investigations at a Dec. 3 meeting.
- The council did not vote on Dec. 3 and pushed back/delayed action on the proposed investigation to a later meeting (date not yet finalized).
- The proposed review’s scope would include an audit of public costs tied to SPPD’s actions, a review of adherence to the city’s separation ordinance, and an investigation into alleged uses of force (pepper balls, less‑lethal munitions, chemical irritants).
- A community group concluded SPPD’s use of force against protesters during the ICE operation violated department policy, citing specific policy provisions and alleging the use of chemical agents and less‑lethal munitions; the group is calling for formal investigation, discipline and greater transparency (including release of video).
- Community leaders held a Dec. 8 press conference demanding a full investigation and City Council discussion of SPPD’s response; Michelle Gross (Communities United Against Police Brutality) alleged multiple policy violations, including pepper‑spraying nonviolent protesters, deploying chemical munitions to create a fog, and firing pepper balls and rubber bullets through the smoke.
- Independent journalist Georgia Fort said three journalists were attacked by SPPD officers during the incident, and community members including Toshira Garraway Allen described the police response as humiliating and traumatizing.
- Mayor Melvin Carter has said body‑camera footage from the incident will be released; advocates say they are waiting for that release.
- Context: Following a separate June federal operation on Minneapolis’ Lake Street, the Minneapolis City Auditor found MPD did not violate its separation ordinance while assisting with crowd control — a precedent cited for context in local discussions.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In 2023, the Greater East Side neighborhood of St. Paul had a population breakdown of 30.3% White, 28.4% Asian, 16.5% Black, and 14.3% Hispanic.
Greater East Side neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota (MN), detailed profile — City-Data.com
In 2024, Black individuals accounted for 53% of subjects in St. Paul Police Department use-of-force incidents, while comprising approximately 16% of St. Paul's population.
Use-of-Force Report (2024) — Saint Paul Minnesota - StPaul.gov
In St. Paul, Black individuals represent 52% of people arrested by police, compared to 16% of the population.
St. Paul, MN - Police Scorecard — Police Scorecard
In 2023 Minnesota felony sentencing data, Black individuals had a state prison rate of 29.4%, higher than the 22.7% for White individuals, with presumptive prison rates of 47.1% for Black compared to 36.3% for White.
2023 Sentencing Practices Report — Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission
đź“° Sources (6)
- Community leaders held a Dec. 8 press conference demanding a full investigation and City Council discussion of SPPD’s response to the Nov. 25 ICE raid on Rose Avenue.
- Michelle Gross (Communities United Against Police Brutality) alleged multiple policy violations, including pepper-spraying non‑violent protesters, throwing chemical munitions to create a fog, and firing pepper balls and rubber bullets through the smoke.
- Independent journalist Georgia Fort said three journalists were attacked by SPPD officers during the incident.
- Toshira Garraway Allen described the police response as humiliating and traumatizing for the community.
- Mayor Melvin Carter has said body‑camera footage from the incident will be released; advocates say they are waiting for the release.
- A community group publicly concluded SPPD’s use of force against protesters during the ICE operation/protest violated department policy.
- The group’s findings cite specific policy provisions and the kinds of force alleged (e.g., chemical agents/less‑lethal munitions) used at the protest.
- The group is calling for formal investigation/discipline and greater transparency (e.g., release of video), adding pressure alongside the council’s postponed review.
- The St. Paul City Council did not vote on Dec. 3 and pushed back the review of police use of force during the ICE operation/protest.
- Action on the proposed investigation was delayed to a later meeting (date not yet finalized in this report).
- Council members say they will formally initiate investigations at their Dec. 3 meeting.
- Scope includes an audit of public costs tied to SPPD’s actions, a review of adherence to the city’s separation ordinance, and an investigation into police use of force (pepper balls, less‑lethal munitions, chemical irritants).
- Detailed statements from Council Members Nelsie Yang (Ward 6), Council President Rebecca Noecker, and Vice President HwaJeong Kim calling for transparency, accountability, and stronger protections.
- Context note: After a separate June federal operation on Lake Street, the Minneapolis City Auditor found MPD did not violate its separation ordinance while assisting with crowd control.
- St. Paul City Council members have now called for an investigation into officers’ use of force during the federal operation and protest.
- The investigation request is the first formal council action tied to the incident.