SCPD Community Policing Agreement Annual Review This Week

(KNSI) – St. Cloud was one of the first cities in the state to draft a Community Policing Agreement, which requires an annual review.

The 2024 meeting is scheduled for Thursday at SCPD Headquarters. It is being hosted in conjunction with the St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission. The session should last from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The 15-page document was initially drafted in 2005. It was spurred by the findings of a 2003 report on racial profiling within the department. At the time, there were concerns about race relations and tensions between the community and the police department.

The report specifically focused on traffic stops. It found both black and Latino drivers were pulled over at a higher rate than white drivers.

The 2023 review featured presentations from Police Chief Jeff Oxton, Assistant Chief Brett Mushatt, and Pastor James Alberts. It touched on the history of the document, what it was trying to accomplish, the department’s community policing efforts through initiatives like the COP House, and more.

Oxton talked about the explosion in mental health calls his officers have been forced to deal with in recent years. He also addressed the fentanyl crisis, which has been linked to multiple overdose deaths in the city.

You can view the document here.

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