The Minneapolis Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) held their first public hearing on May 16. The order of business was the standard for a new commission: taking their oath of office, introductions of the new members and the mission statement.
To understand the mission, the history of police accountability in Minneapolis was also presented. The agenda then turned to the structure and process of the Office of Police Conduct Review (OPCR).
The 15 members of the CCPO are listed below. They were selected from a pool of approximately 160 applicants that represent a cross-section of Minneapolis, including formerly incarcerated individuals, LGBTQ community members, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, people with different abilities, as well as community members from every ward of Minneapolis. Thirteen members represent the 13 wards in Minneapolis and were approved by the City Council in April. The last two applicants were selected by the Mayor.
As panelists, they will have direct access to investigatory case files being reviewed and provide recommendations on the merits of misconduct allegations that will be forwarded to the Chief of Police. When a panel recommends a finding of merit for allegations of misconduct, the panel will recommend an appropriate range of corrective actions.
The commission will provide an opportunity for residents to observe presentations, listen to discussions and provide public input.
There were six criteria for the applicants. Criteria 6 is key to the image and future success of the Commission:
“Have a demonstrated commitment to equitable, non-discriminatory policing; and does not have a record of taking actions which would undermine public trust in the individual’s ability to conduct civilian oversight of law enforcement in an equitable and non-discriminatory manner.”
The efforts of the CCPO will benefit all residents of Minneapolis if supported by the City’s leadership and communities. This author will continue to follow the Commission and keep our readers informed.
Learn more about the Community Commission on Police Oversight at minneapolismn.org.
| Seat # | Name | Term Start | Term End | Appointing Authority | Membership Requirements |
| 1 | Josh Loar | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 1 representative |
| 2 | Mara Schanfield | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 2 representative |
| 3 | Paul Olsen | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 3 representative |
| 4 | Melissa Newman | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 4 representative |
| 5 | Jennifer Clement | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 5 representative |
| 6 | AJ Awed | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 6 representative |
| 7 | Mary Dedeaux-Swinton | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 7 representative |
| 8 | Fartun Weli | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 8 representative |
| 9 | Stacey Gurian-Sherman | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 9 representative |
| 10 | Alexis Pederson | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 10 representative |
| 11 | Philip Sturm | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 11 representative |
| 12 | Derrick Vorpahl | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Council | Ward 12 representative |
| 13 | Nichelle Williams-Johnson | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Council | Ward 13 representative |
| 14 | Louis Smith | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/25 | Mayor | Mayor representative |
| 15 | Latonya Reeves | 6/1/2023 | 5/31/24 | Mayor | Mayor |