Local criminal prosecution against police officers does occur in Minneapolis, where the Hennepin County prosecutors have a reputation for pursuing such cases. According to the Hennepin County attorney's office, an "informal" file is kept of police defendants by the adult prosecution division.62

The U.S. Attorney's office told Human Rights Watch that it would need Justice Department authorization before the office could provide information. An attorney in the U.S. Attorney's office did speak to Human Rights Watch "on background" and stated that federal prosecutors were not very active in Minneapolis because local prosecutors do, in fact, prosecute police.63

In 1996, of the six cases decided by federal prosecutors for the federal district containing Minneapolis (Minnesota), none was prosecuted (presented to a grand jury to seek an indictment). Between 1992 and 1995, twenty-six cases were considered, and six were prosecuted.64

62 Telephone inquiry, Hennepin County attorney's office administrator, May 19, 1997.

63 Telephone interview, U.S. attorney's office staff person, August 31, 1995.

64 According to data obtained by TRAC from Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, Justice Department. Cases prosecuted or declined represent only a portion of the total number of complaints alleging federal criminal civil rights violations referred to each district in a given year. Several steps prior to this decision narrow down the number of complaints actually received to those considered worthy of consideration.