Wednesday, May 9 2012 9:19 PM EDT2012-05-10 01:19:59 GMT
The state has suspended its drug recognition training program and launched a criminal investigation into allegations a Hutchinson police officer provided marijuana to a potential subject.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has suspended its drug recognition training program and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has launched a criminal investigation into allegations a Hutchinson police officer provided marijuana to a potential subject.
Thursday, May 3 2012 10:36 PM EDT2012-05-04 02:36:59 GMT
Occupy protesters claim officers are offering them drugs and watching them get high. The officers are all part of a training program run by the Minnesota State Patrol, but the agency denies any "dirty
Occupy protesters claim officers are offering them drugs and watching them get high.
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) -
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has finished its criminal investigation into allegations a police officer provided marijuana to a potential subject in the state's drug recognition evaluator training program earlier this year.
The BCA has forwarded the case to the Hennepin County attorney's office for review and possible charges, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon.
DPS internal affairs is continuing its investigation of the training program to determine if any agency policies or procedures were violated.
The program remains suspended until both investigations are concluded and the program is reviewed.
The drug evaluation and classification (DEC) training program shows officers how to detect and remove drug-impaired drivers from the road. An officer who completes this training is certified as a drug recognition evaluator.
A Minnesota state trooper was been placed on administrative leave during an investigation into his conduct during the DRE training, and a Hutchinson police officer is also being investigated after he was accused of providing marijuana to a potential subject. An officer from another law enforcement agency allegedly witnessed the activity and reported the incident to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Currently 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada participate in the DEC program. Minnesota's program has been managed by the State Patrol since its inception in 1991.
