5-105 - Gifts and Avoiding Influence

People deserve a government whose employees who avoid conflicts of interest, apparent or real. In order for the City to serve the public effectively, people must have confidence and trust in the integrity of their government. The purpose of this policy is to ensure Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) members avoid actions that might impair independence of judgment or give the appearance of impropriety or a conflict of interest, and to ensure members do not use their positions to gain privileges or special treatment. (Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15 Ethics in Government)

Property

1. Any money other than that received from unclaimed properties paid or sent to any member arising from on-duty police action shall be promptly forwarded to MPD Finance.

2. All property received arising from on-duty police action shall be forwarded to the Property and Evidence unit.

1. The Property and Evidence unit shall dispose of unclaimed property according to P&P 10-401 and their unit manual.

3. Members shall not act as an intermediary in the payment of a reward for the return of stolen property without written authorization by the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee.
4. Members shall not purchase, or have purchased for them, any auto or other property sold at a city auction. Members are also prohibited from owning any such auto or other property purchased at a city auction for one year after the date that the auto or other property is sold at the city auction.

Debts and Finances

1. Members shall pay all debts when due and shall not undertake any financial obligations which they know or should know they will be unable to meet.

2. An isolated instance of financial irresponsibility will generally not be grounds for discipline except in unusually severe cases. However, repeated instances of financial difficulty may be cause for disciplinary action.

1. Filing for a voluntary bankruptcy petition shall not, by itself, be cause for discipline.

2. Financial difficulties stemming from unforeseen medical expenses or personal disaster shall not be cause for discipline provided that a good faith effort to settle all accounts is being undertaken.

Soliciting or Accepting Gifts on Behalf of the City for City Purposes

1. Gifts to the City shall only be solicited or accepted in accordance with Minneapolis’ Gifts to the City Policy.

1. Any member seeking to accept a gift to the City covering travel, lodging, or conference costs shall notify the MPD Director of Financial Operations and coordinate with them to submit a Request for Council Action, as such gifts shall be approved by the City Council prior to use of the gift.

2. Any member seeking to accept non-travel related gifts to the City with a value of $15,000 or less shall notify the MPD Director of Financial Operations who will coordinate with the City’s Finance Department.

2. In accordance with Minneapolis’ Gifts to the City Policy, government employees with enforcement powers, such police officers, should not solicit gifts from any source.

Soliciting or Accepting Personal Gifts

In accordance with Minneapolis City Ordinance 15.50:

Avoid gifts

Members shall not solicit or accept any gift from an interested person, lobbyist or principal who has a direct financial interest in a decision that that the member is authorized to make.

Return gifts

Any member who receives any gift prohibited by this section shall return, dispose of, or request that the city council accept the gift on behalf of the city.

Exceptions

The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the gift is any of the following:

1. A campaign contribution as defined in MN Statute section 10A.01, Subd. 11.

2. A service to assist an official in the performance of official duties, including, but not limited to providing advice, consultation, information and communication in connection with legislation, or services to constituents.
3. A service of insignificant monetary value.
4. A plaque or similar memento recognizing individual services in a field of specialty or to a charitable cause.
5. A trinket or memento of insignificant value.
6. Informational material of unexceptional value.
7. Food or a beverage given at a reception, meal or meeting away from the recipient’s place of work by an organization before who the recipient appears to make a speech or answer questions as part of the program.
8. Given because of the recipient’s membership in a group, and an equivalent gift is given to the other members of the group.
9. Given by an interested person, lobbyist, or principal who is a related person to the recipient, unless the gift is given on behalf of someone who is not a related person.

Trinkets and mementos

The gift exception allowing members to accept trinkets and mementos ([II-D-3-e] above) does not cover items such as a cup of coffee or other items where the member received something at a discounted rate or for free due to their status as an employee of the City or member of the Department. The Ordinance and City policy prohibit accepting such items.

Definitions

Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.