St. Paul council delays vote on police force review tied to ICE operation
Following a federal ICE raid that sparked a large neighborhood protest, the St. Paul City Council postponed a Dec. 3 vote on launching a formal investigation into officers’ use of force during the operation and protest. Council members had proposed the city’s first formal action tied to the incident — including an audit of public costs, a review of compliance with the city’s separation ordinance, and a probe into use of pepper balls, less-lethal munitions and chemical irritants — while urging greater transparency and accountability.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- On Nov. 27 St. Paul City Council members called for an investigation into officers’ use of force during the federal ICE operation and the ensuing protest — the council’s first formal action tied to the incident.
- Council members had planned to formally initiate investigations at a Dec. 3 meeting but the council did not vote and pushed the review/action to a later meeting (reported Dec. 4); no new vote date has been finalized.
- The proposed scope of the review includes an audit of public costs tied to the St. Paul Police Department’s actions, a review of adherence to the city’s separation ordinance, and an investigation into police use of force (including pepper balls, less‑lethal munitions and chemical irritants).
- Council leaders — including Nelsie Yang (Ward 6), Council President Rebecca Noecker and Vice President HwaJeong Kim — issued statements calling for transparency, accountability and stronger protections related to the operation and police response.
- The investigation request and proposed scope represent the council’s initial formal response, but the review remains pending following the delayed vote.
- Context: After a separate June federal operation on Lake Street, the Minneapolis City Auditor concluded that the Minneapolis Police Department did not violate its separation ordinance while assisting with crowd control — a precedent cited in coverage of the St. Paul review.
đź“° Sources (4)
St. Paul City Council pushes back vote for review of police use of force during ICE operation
New information:
- 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).
St. Paul ICE raid: Leaders call for investigation into police use of force
New information:
- 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 calls for investigation of officers’ use of force during ICE operation
New information:
- 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.