Following the May 4 special study session on the strategic planning report prepared by the Axtell Group for the St. Louis Park Police Department, members of Progress in the Park obtained a copy so that we could review the findings in detail ourselves.

What is the Axtell Report? The Axtell Report is an independent strategic assessment of the St. Louis Park Police Department. While the report emphasizes critical staffing shortages, it also recommends purchasing an armored vehicle, drones, and “less-lethal” weapons – capital expenses that contradict the department’s own internal survey priorities.

While the majority of the content in the report supports what was presented at the May 4 study session, some recommendations that were not covered in the presentation stood out.

On page 18 of the report, it is mentioned that the purchase of an armored rescue vehicle would increase both public and officer safety. The armored rescue vehicle recommendation is mentioned again on pages 29 and 41, along with less lethal weapons platforms, again as tools that could enhance both public and officer safety.

SLP PD currently has access to an armored vehicle through agreements with neighboring west metro agencies.

These recommendations stand out as they don’t appear to address the core issues covered in the report. The core issues identified in the report are staffing (both sworn officers and administrative professionals) and technological resources (outdated and inconvenient reporting software, digital evidence management, etc.).

It seems especially odd in light of the responses of the SLP PD to the survey provided by the Axtell Group.

On page 31 of the report, data from the SLP PD employee survey on the question of which area the SLPPD should prioritize to strengthen its ability to fulfill its mission and values over the next 5-10 years, “Upgraded technology and equipment” was the bottom-ranking responsem with only 4.29% (3) participants saying that issue should be a priority.

If the official account of the Knollwood ICE incident is any indication, the SLP PD is capable of de-escalating the situations in which one might think that an “armored rescue vehicle” or “less lethal weapons platforms” may be used.

It seems somewhat hypocritical to spend local taxpayer money on equipment that would inevitably be used against SLP residents in the wake of this event, especially when our city prides itself on the trailblazing community policing practices of our police department.

As the City Council develops the strategic priorities of the SLP PD for the next decades, the only way for SLP residents to ensure that we have a police force that provides a high level of service to all members of our community is by keeping ourselves informed and involved.

Click the button below to download the full report and read the full findings for yourself!

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