Under fresh scrutiny, BCA's Force Investigations Unit hits one-year mark soon with plenty of work on police shootings

Winston Smith' Jr.'s killing by members of a federal task force in Minneapolis last month is prompting fresh scrutiny of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, along with its newly formed unit dedicated to investigating violent or deadly police encounters and other misconduct.

The latest investigation lies with the year-old Force Investigations Unit, specifically dedicated to decreasing law enforcement violence. The unit has 23 staffers, including a special agent in charge, two assistant special agents, 13 senior special agents, two criminal intelligence analysts and a victim, family and community relations coordinator.

"I want everyone in Minnesota to know we have a strong commitment to continually improve," BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said in an interview last week from his office in St. Paul. "People cannot feel good about an outcome, but I want people to have trust in our process."

https://www.startribune.com/under-fresh-scrutiny-bca-s-force-investigations-unit-hits-one-year-mark-soon-with-plenty-of-work-on/600079813/