4. Race and reaction at the MPD: Ill start by quoting what I posted the other day at Talk in nominating the MPD for local villain of the year: Besides the usual quotient of embarrassing high-profile incidentsthis months utterly unfounded, gunfire-filled raid on a north Minneapolis home, the citys $4.5 million payout to Officer Duy Ngo, shot in 2003 by one of his own colleaguesthe department was also hit by a pair of civil rights lawsuits alleging chronic prejudicial treatment of non-Anglo cops, the more publicized of which is pitting five of the departments longest-tenured and most respected African-American officers against MPD Chief Tim Dolan. But I did neglect to mention the departments overtime pay troubles (which, of course, are tied up with its cronyism problem), and that Lt. Bob Krollwho was promoted by Dolan even as numerous ranking black cops were being demoted or transferredtook a turn in the spotlight after reportedly calling Rep. Keith Ellison a terrorist.

It’s shameful when the chief of his department and the mayor don’t even come to see him. It’s pretty much standard procedure and a simple act of consideration. If my chief or I didn’t visit a wounded officer the union would go nuts.

It sounds like this officer was left high and dry by his department and some fellow officers. I’ve been a Capt. for a while in So Cal and I’m disgusted by such incompetance and indifference.

For the sake of Minneapolis and it’s law abiding citizens I hope the department has changed and have done a thorough examination of their policies. Its not difficult to recognize the bad apple on your squad or during your watch.

A trained officer knows that positive identification is essential and a rudimentary police skill. The officer was in the direct line of sight and headlights of the squad car. How could you not see him? Why would you just discharge your weapon on an unarmed person?

These are simple police procedures. Perhaps there is much more than just incompetence going on here.

Hopefully they have gotten their act together by now. If not, they just might get some more unwanted attention, but this time it won’t only be from the media but from one big bureaucracy that will surely disrupt department cohesiveness. Here’s a hint three letters; first one starts with a D and the last one ends with a J.

I just hope citizens aren’t discouraged and don’t loose faith in honorable LEOs who put their lives on the line every time they put on the badge.

Posted by Bobby K. | December 8, 2007 12:25 AM

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mpdpolicy/7-900/7-900.asp#P94_7168

7-904 ACTIVE SHOOTER POLICY – ERU PERSONNEL (09/07/01)

(B-D)

In response to a nationwide increase of active shooter incidents, and incidents where suspects use high-powered, high-capacity assault rifles while committing crimes, qualified MPD Emergency Response Unit (ERU) personnel shall be required to carry with them the following equipment in addition to standard squad equipment.

ERU assigned tactical weapon
Ballistic helmet
Level III tactical vest
This equipment shall be placed in the trunk of the ERU officers police vehicle at the start of his/her patrol shift and removed at the end of the shift. If the equipment is needed at a scene, the ERU officer will advise MECC of his/her arrival at the scene with tactical weapons and equipment. If an Operation 100 has been called, the tactical decisions will be made by the on-scene ranking ERU member in concert with incident command. If an Operation 100 has not been called, the highest ranking department member at the scene shall command the incident. The equipment shall not be removed unless at least one of the following circumstances is present:

The ERU officer is responding to an active shooter situation where gunfire is present at the time of the officers arrival at the scene. An active shooter situation is defined as an ongoing or continuing act where the perpetrator is actively assaulting others with a firearm or deadly weapon.
The ERU officer is responding to, or is present at, an Operation 100.
The ERU officer is requested to participate in a high-risk search warrant entry or high-risk building search during their patrol shift.
MPD personnel shall remain cognizant of the fact that in many active shooter incidents, innocent lives are lost within the first few minutes of the incident. In some situations, this dictates the need to rapidly assess the situation and act quickly in order to save lives.

Didn’t you guys know that this MP5 was loaded? ( That is if I understand this is what had happened). If you want a fruitful debate, I would suggest you either to call the MPD for the policy about MP5 or search the policy on the net. I did. And it floored me. Even at this moment, my stomach still flip over. Go read the policy. You will be as sick as I am, ( if you are normal like I am and not be flipped, I’d be worrying about you).

Boiling rage. Damn proud of Duy Ngo for his courage to break blue code of silence.

Ellie

Thanks for turning it down, Max. My ears were starting to bleed.