Gang Database Work Group
Active dates:2010 -
Function: The superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall convene a work group of stakeholders and interested parties to: (1) discuss issues and laws pertaining to criminal intelligence databases; and (2) make recommendations on proposed legislative changes for the classification, storage, dissemination, and use of criminal investigative data, including data from other states, and for guidelines governing usage and collection of criminal investigative data held by law enforcement agencies.
By February 1, 2011, the work group shall submit an executive summary document to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over criminal justice and data practices issues. The document must summarize the work group meetings and outline proposed legislative changes to implement recommendations on which there is agreement.
History:
The creation of gang databases sparked controversy following the dissolution of the scandal-plagued Metro Gang Strike Force in 2009. In particular, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office's GangNet system, which at one point contained information on nearly 17,000 purported gang members, was criticized for casting too wide of a net. (from Politics in Minnesota "Gang Database Work Group Appointed", June 23, 2010).
Membership:
The work group shall be chaired by a representative from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a representative from the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information.
The work group must include one representative from each of the following organizations: the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association; the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association; the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association; the American Civil Liberties Union - Minnesota; the Minnesota Newspaper Association; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; the councils created in Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.922, 3.9223, 3.9225, and 3.9226; the Board of Public Defense; the Minnesota County Attorneys Association; and the Minnesota City Attorneys Association; and a citizen member who is knowledgeable in data privacy issues. The work group must be balanced between law enforcement and nonlaw enforcement representatives. The work group shall not exceed 20 members, including chairs.
Agency heads:
Don Gemberling from MNCOGI is one of the two co-chairs. David Johnson, executive director of Minnesota Justice Information Services, is the other.
Documents/Articles:
News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 2009-2010.
Record last updated:
08/06/2010
All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These
materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.