Giving Crimes A Second Look
Podcast
By Telly Mamayek, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- There's a new effort in Ramsey County to make more lawbreakers pay for their crimes.
The "Second Look Initiative" is a partnership between law enforcement and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi's office. He said a special prosecutor will help police get the evidence they need to press charges in cases that can fall through the cracks.
"It's about offender accountability, victim safety and making sure that we get those right results that the community and the public expect of us," said Choi.
Under the program, a prosecutor will work with law enforcement to develop a check list for police to follow when they're investigating cases.
"It's exactly what we need to do in law enforcement and public safety, where we collaborate with each other and make our communities safer," said Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom.
Maplewood Police Chief David Thomalla said the new program will be an important tool for suburban departments that have fewer resources.
"I see this as another lens to look at cases through for our investigators," added Thomalla.
Over the next nine months, the initiative will produce a training protocol for police to follow that Choi hopes will increase criminal convictions in Ramsey County.
