Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart and Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson 

have joined  Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher

 in saying they're suspending work by their deputies with the U.S. Marshals Service’s North Star Fugitive Task Force. 

Ramsey County sheriff pulls deputies from federal task force over bodycam policy

They cite federal policy that doesn't allow local officers to wear body cameras while working with task forces. Hennepin and Ramsey county deputies were involved in a 

fatal shooting during a task force arrest in Minneapolis last week.

The task force was apparently attempting to arrest Winston Smith in Minneapolis on a felony firearms warrant when two sheriff's deputies shot and killed him. State investigators say there's evidence Smith fired at agents.

There is no body camera video of the incident, as task forces don't allow their use.

Federal officials haven't offered an explanation for the policy, although the Department of Justice 

 on body-worn cameras for federal law enforcement to allow them in limited circumstances.

, and racial justice activists are demanding the resignation of Minnesota U.S. Marshal Ramona Dohman. 

Activist Toussaint Morrison said the Marshals Service must be held accountable.

"You can imagine that the narrative they put out saying Winston Smith had a gun is completely false, is manufactured. And I can say that just from experience, of hearing from their press releases time and time and time again," Morrison said. 

Dohman, who served previously as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, has not responded to interview requests.

Tim Nelson

Author

Matt Sepic

The sheriffs cited federal policy that doesn't allow local officers to wear body cameras while working with task forces. Separately, activists called for Minnesota U.S. Marshal Ramona Dohman to resign.

Q&A: Marshall Project reporter on force and accountability in U.S. Marshals

A man in a brown jacket and a mask walks down a line of people.

Local sheriffs end work with U.S. Marshals unit over bodycam policy

Go Deeper.

Like this?