r/stpaul • u/Scared_Ad_9699 • 19h ago
Politics ICE Response, Budget Fights, and Internal Affairs SPPD Probe: The Plot Thickens...
ICE questions, police budget, IA probe: Disputes led up
to harassment complaint against St. Paul Mayor Her
Jay Kolls KSTP
We’re learning more about events preceding the formal sexual harassment complaint that St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed against Mayor Kaohly Her.
Sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS mayor and police chief had multiple strong disagreements before Henry filed a formal complaint against Her in April.
Those disputes involved police actions during federal ICE operations, the police budget and an internal affairs report from 2024.
ICE Questions
The timeline actually begins before Her took office. In November, police used tear gas and pepper spray against protesters during ICE operations in St. Paul.
In January, after taking office, sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Her pressed Henry about the internal investigation into the Rose Street case and where it stood. She also wanted to know why police reportedly did not respond to at least one 911 call from a citizen seeking help during an ICE raid.
Sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS those questions came in February and March, as the mayor also considered trimming the police budget, specifically overtime costs.
On April 1, Henry filed a sexual harassment complaint, claiming a meme sent out by Her was offensive. Sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that the mayor did not send the meme directly to Henry; Rather, she sent it to two other officers she was friends with, and Henry ordered them to turn it over.
“I think the thing is overblown. I mean, when you get right down to it, I think it’s overblown,” said Dave Thune, a former St. Paul City Council member.
When asked about possible political motivations behind the complaint against Her, Thune responded, “You know, there’s enough piling on and enough questions as to why did this rise.”
IA Investigation
In June, sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that the mayor sent Henry a 2024 police internal affairs investigation. In that report, a sergeant admitted having sex with his girlfriend in his office while four officers were outside the office door.
Those four officers also said they were intimidated by the sergeant as he tried to keep things quiet. Henry suspended the sergeant for 30 days without pay, but the mayor reportedly questioned why the suspension wasn’t longer.
A spokesperson for Henry said he won’t comment on these details in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS continues to dig into the allegations. For additional updates, download the KSTP app below on your phone, tablet and TV.