Professional Standards

Maintaining and rewarding excellence

In his role as Public information Officer, Commander Herman meets with the news media.

The Professional Standards Division investigates allegations of police misconduct and, through the Behavior Recognition Board, evaluates reports of significant acts of bravery or outstanding performance by members of the Police Department or the public. Professional Standards coordinates the hiring process with the Human Resources Department and conducts background investigations on police officer candidates and civilian employees. The division also oversees the department training program.

Behavior Recognition Board: Public awards ceremonies.
Internal investigations: Classification, investigation of employee conduct.
Training and development: In-service - from first aid to legal updates.

The Bloomington Police Honor Guard is overseen by the Professional Standards Division. Learn more:

Bloomington Police Honor Guard

Behavior Recognition Board

Each year the Police Department recognizes and awards both officers and civilians for their outstanding efforts in the area of public safety. These awards run the gambit from aggressive criminal investigations to life saving activities. Bloomington's professional police agency and involved community are very active in the area of public safety.

Internal investigations

The lieutenant in Professional Standards has several important responsibilities, including the management of internal investigations. Our department prides itself on fair, impartial and thorough investigations of citizens' complaints.

As inquiries are received regarding employee conduct, division commanders or lieutenants filter the inquiries into one of three areas: performance matters; questions; and complaints.

Once a determination is made as to the type of issue, the necessary investigation is done. Our goal is to balance the needs of the reporter and the department.

Performance matters are those issues that are less serious in nature. The focus is on supervisory discussions and identifying options to employee actions to reduce conflict.
Questions are those inquiries that need follow-up only to the extent of providing information to the reporter. They may include other City divisions or agencies that might be able to deal with the specific issue. Examples:
- A person who receives a tag for speeding wants to contest the violation. This person would be referred to Hennepin County Court and advised to seek legal advice if necessary.
- A parent calls to report that a police investigation into her disrespectful son or daughter hasn't been referred to Juvenile Court. This would be referred to other social service agencies that might deal with the issue away from criminal law violation aspects.
Formal complaints require extensive investigation because they are more serious and could result in discipline against the employee. The officer's rights and due process steps need to be taken, and these investigations will take time to complete. All of these complaints are reviewed by the Chief of Police for final disposition.

Training and development

The Bloomington Police Department prides itself on its commitment to training. The training sergeant coordinates both in-house or in-service training, along with outside schools and conferences. Current topics for our biannual in-service program include:

Criminal and traffic law updates.
Biohazards and hazardous materials.
Dealing with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Road spikes for pursuit intervention.
Crime Free Multi-Housing.

These training days include in-house and regional trainers on the topics listed.

In addition to the in-service topics, outside training is offered or required several times a year and includes:

Handgun and shotgun qualification.
First aid refresher.
Use of force issues which include legal update, case law, practical exercises on use of chemical or impact weapons, along with defensive tactics.
Intoxilyzer operation/DWI updates.

The training sergeant also coordinates the training in specialty area. These areas include:

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undercover operations.
Accident investigation and reconstruction.
Gang enforcement.
Community or problem oriented policing.
Driving.
Management courses which include Supervision of Police Personnel and School of Staff and Command.
SWAT, bomb and hostage negotiations which include basic, update and advanced courses.

This training component is a busy assignment for our training sergeant who works hard to offer and provide up-to-date and quality instruction in these areas.

For more information, contact:

Bloomington Police Department
PH: 952-563-4900, FAX: 952-563-4936
E-mail: police@ci.bloomington.mn.us