The Iowa attorney general’s office will review complaints about police actions during the April 18 Veishea riot in Campustown.

Kristina McMillan is happy to hear it.

“Right now, I don’t feel like I can trust the police in any situation,” said McMillan, junior in journalism and mass communication. “I just know that what happened was wrong and that something needs to be done.”

“What happened” is law enforcement responses the morning of April 18 in Campustown to disperse large crowds and quell violence. Friday, the Ames Police Department and the Government of the Student Body announced the Iowa attorney general’s office will review all complaints about police behavior during the riot.

According to an Ames Police press release, if that office determines a criminal investigation is necessary, the Division of Criminal Investigation will step in.

“It was clear to me as the week progressed that there was no way to do an investigation on ourselves,” said Ames Police Chief Loras Jaeger.

Jaeger said he hoped the external review would “calm some concerns being voiced.”

In complaints filed with Ames Police, McMillan and Stefanie Smith, senior in health and human performance, wrote they were sprayed with riot-control chemicals while standing on the porch of Big Shots, 2522 Chamberlain St. Both wrote they were not involved with the crowds on the streets and didn’t contribute to the riot.

“I would hope and like to see the police officers who were pointed out in complaints are dealt with appropriately,” Smith said Sunday.

Sophia Magill, GSB president, said Saturday the announcement was one result of talks she has had with Jaeger about improving relations between ISU students and the Ames Police.

“The thing about this situation is that it makes us look more closely at our relationship with our community,” she said. “Even before this incident last weekend, that was something that [GSB Vice President William Rock] and I were really concerned with.”

At least 28 people have filed complaints with the Ames Police in the last week. Many have dealt with concerns that police used pepper spray and tear gas on people trying to leave the area.

Other complaints are more critical, arguing that police officers incited the situation by being overly aggressive in attempting to control crowds.

City property and Campustown businesses suffered tens of thousands of dollars in damage, and nearly 40 people were arrested that morning. No serious injuries were reported.

“If they’re going to outside sources, they’re acknowledging there’s a problem, and I think that’s a step in the right direction,” McMillan said. “Officers need to be reprimanded for what happened. I know students were out of control, but cops pushed them to that point.”

Bob Brammer, spokesman for the Iowa attorney general’s office, said he couldn’t comment on any specifics about the upcoming review. He said the office deals with similar situations routinely.

Magill said she thinks the attorney general’s review — even if it upholds assertions by the Ames Police that it acted appropriately in all situations — will provide some closure for her constituents — ISU students.

“I think it is a little bit higher caliber to deal with those issues,” she said. “I would put trust in the Iowa attorney general’s office.”

Jaeger also announced Friday plans to have the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy review law enforcement crowd control techniques.

Smith said it’s important the Attorney General’s Office addresses every accusation objectively.

“I just hope they really take these complaints genuinely,” she said. “These complaints were filed for a reason.”