MCPA Concerned about Increase in Violent Encounters for MN Law Enforcement; Encourages Lawmakers to Take Action

For Immediate Release 
January 25, 2023

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) is praying for a speedy and full recovery for the three Minnesota law enforcement officers who have been shot in the line of duty in the last 48 hours. 

A White Bear Lake police officer is in stable condition following surgery after being shot Tuesday night while serving a felony warrant on a man suspected of domestic assault. Two McCleod County Sheriff’s deputies suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot while serving a warrant in Winsted, MN on Monday morning.  

The MCPA represents more than 300 active police chiefs in Minnesota. 

“Our collective thoughts are with these brave law enforcement personnel and their families,” MCPA Executive Director Jeff Potts said. “We know policing is an inherently dangerous profession, but we are deeply concerned by what’s become a troubling trend of more violent encounters and more violence against officers. 

Additionally, we are urging the legislature to help law enforcement as we are facing significant recruitment and staffing issues, and, at the same time, we are seeing historic spikes in violent crime. We need additional funding from the state surplus to address these very serious issues.”

A total of 331 cops were shot across the country in 2022, a 6% increase from 2020, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police. Of officers who were shot in the line of duty, 62 were killed, up 32% from 2020. 

About the MCPA 

The MCPA is a nonprofit, professional membership organization representing more than 1,000 current and retired law enforcement leaders in Minnesota. The mission is to bring the highest quality of police services to the people of Minnesota; the vision is to be the voice of law enforcement in the state.