Police Policy Oversight Commission

All appointments are for three-year terms with a two-term maximum. 

Apply online to volunteer.  

City Ordinance Chapter 2-13. Police Policy Oversight Commission

• Roger Friedli - Member
  • rbilly1@hotmail.com
• Collin Kauth-Fisher - Vice Chair
  • roch-mn-gov@ckauth-fisher.com
• Linda Parker - Secretary
  • lindaparker421@hotmail.com
• Valmik Patel - Chair
  • valmikg1@gmail.com
• Bruce Snyder - Member
  • brucedsnyder@icloud.com
• Phil Wheeler - Member, NAACP Representative
  • phil.wheeler55904@gmail.com

Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are available on the Boards & Commissions page. 

The Police Policy Oversight Commission meets quarterly on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. 

1. The Commission shall review and comment on the policies, practices and procedures adopted or to be adopted by police administration as they relate to the legal requirements of state and federal law and the expectations of the community. The Commission shall also, to the extent allowed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stats. ch. 13), review those incidents in which a member of the public has alleged that a member of the department has engaged in conduct violating an existing policy, practice or procedure, or that an existing policy, practice or procedure is unlawful. The commission may make policy and procedure recommendations to the department as well as educational initiatives that may be of benefit to the public and/or the department.
2. In the event the Commission believes a policy, practice or procedure to be in conflict with state or federal law, the Commission will bring that conflict to the attention of the city attorney who will make a determination regarding the legality of the policy, practice or procedure at issue.
3. In the event the Commission believes a policy, practice or procedure is inconsistent with the expectations of the community, the Commission will initiate discussions with the chief of police in order to resolve that inconsistency. Should the inconsistency not be resolved, the commission may notify the mayor and request a determination of the issue. If the issue remains unresolved and the mayor and commission deem it sufficiently grave to warrant council intervention, the mayor may refer it to the common council for resolution. The common council may consider the issue and, at its discretion, resolve it either by consensus or through a public hearing and the subsequent issuance of a formal resolution.

1. The Commission shall review and comment on the policies, practices and procedures adopted or to be adopted by police administration as they relate to the legal requirements of state and federal law and the expectations of the community. The Commission shall also, to the extent allowed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stats. ch. 13), review those incidents in which a member of the public has alleged that a member of the department has engaged in conduct violating an existing policy, practice or procedure, or that an existing policy, practice or procedure is unlawful. The commission may make policy and procedure recommendations to the department as well as educational initiatives that may be of benefit to the public and/or the department.
2. In the event the Commission believes a policy, practice or procedure to be in conflict with state or federal law, the Commission will bring that conflict to the attention of the city attorney who will make a determination regarding the legality of the policy, practice or procedure at issue.
3. In the event the Commission believes a policy, practice or procedure is inconsistent with the expectations of the community, the Commission will initiate discussions with the chief of police in order to resolve that inconsistency. Should the inconsistency not be resolved, the commission may notify the mayor and request a determination of the issue. If the issue remains unresolved and the mayor and commission deem it sufficiently grave to warrant council intervention, the mayor may refer it to the common council for resolution. The common council may consider the issue and, at its discretion, resolve it either by consensus or through a public hearing and the subsequent issuance of a formal resolution.

The mayor shall appoint, with the common council's advice and consent, seven members of the commission as follows:

1. One person recommended for membership by the city branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") and subsequently appointed by the mayor;
2. One person recommended for membership by the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission ("OCHRC") and subsequently appointed by the mayor;
3. Five people appointed by the mayor based on their interest and involvement in social justice and human rights. Community-based organizations shall be encouraged to recommend candidates for commission membership to the mayor.

April Zimmer
(507) 328-2991
azimmer@rochestermn.gov