St. Paul residents have new tool for sharing views about Police Department

Residents of St. Paul can now review the city's police department using a new survey debuting Friday.

Although residents have always been able to call, write or e-mail with concerns, the Police Department is introducing a standardized survey available online and in paper form.

"What we're trying to learn is what's going well and what needs to improve," Police Chief Todd Axtell said.

Paper surveys are available at all three of the department's district offices. The "SPPD Community Survey" online, www.stpaul.gov/police, can be translated into multiple languages.

The survey asks participants to rank their interaction with a police employee in multiple areas on a scale of one to five. Participants can also write a summary in their own words.

Surveys can be submitted anonymously or with the participant's name and contact information.

Axtell said the survey will be ongoing, with results publicly published at the end of each year. Although the intent is to identify areas for general improvement, information about specific officers that is alarming could potentially result in additional training, coaching or discipline, he said.