C-NOTES: September 14, 2023

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

Since last week, Governor Walz has indicated he does not plan to call for a special session at this time to address the SRO law issue. In an effort to keep this issue moving, we partnered with the MPPOA and MSA on a joint press conference yesterday urging the Governor and lawmakers to come to the table to swiftly address the language in the education bill that had major impacts on our SROs. You can view the entire press conference here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ymv744wqasqzqqjjl67su/MCPA-press-conference.mp4?rlkey=kqmr3urlvr5wqt2y2m26gklwm&dl=0

I spoke with Commissioner Jacobson after the press conference. He indicated there were additional meetings after our press conference. We remain hopeful that legislators will engage in further conversations and agree that this needs to be fixed sooner than later.

Here are some of the media outlets that have picked up yesterday's presser:

At yesterday's Press Conference, we announced a "call to action." A website has been created for supporters of SRO programs. Please go to www.SupportSROs.com to sign a petition that supports calling for a special session to fix the new law. Also, Please share this website with teachers, parents, and students in your areas. We know there is strong support for a fix, and this website will help demonstrate that support.

Thank you,
Jeff Potts, Executive Director
[email protected]

NALOXONE STANDING ORDER AND PORTAL

The soft launch for the MN Naloxone Portal is live and can be found at https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/mnresponse/nalstandorder.html

This portal is an additional resource for mandated groups to receive naloxone, also known as Narcan©, at no cost. It is intended to help meet the mandates such as two doses per school building, two doses per field officer, etc.

Groups are encouraged to order as needed and make multiple orders over time. We ask that groups do not make extreme-sized orders to “stock up” for the long term, as this could affect availability for all groups in the state.

The 4mg nasal spray via Emergent BioSolutions is the only version available in this program.

Mandated Groups eligible for this program:

Schools (Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.224, subdivision 1)
Corrections Minn. Stat. § 241.021, subd. 1)
Law Enforcement (Minn. Stat. § 151.37, subd. 12)
Site-based or group housing support settings (Minn. Stat. § 121A.224, subd. 12)
Sober homes (Minn. Stat. § 254B.181, subd. 1)

How it works:

In order to access the portal, mandated organizations first need to sign up for the standing order, signed by Minnesota Department of Health Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield, which allows them to purchase, obtain, and distribute naloxone. Included in the Standing Order is the Condition Specific Protocol, which allows licensed school nurses to administer naloxone. They then register with the portal. Upon review of both applications, if they match, their account is approved, and they can then place an order. Once reviewed and approved, the order is then forwarded to the supplier, who sends the recipient tracking info for their two-day FedEx shipment of naloxone. PO Boxes are not valid shipping addresses.

Learn more at https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/mnresponse/nalstandorder.html.

FOUNDATION AWARDS $25,000 IN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS GRANTS TO 13 POLICE DEPARTMENTS

The MN Chiefs of Police Foundation is proud to award $25,000 in Community Partnership Grants to 13 Minnesota Police Departments to help advance trust, transparency, and stronger partnerships between police and communities across the state.

Grant Recipients - Cycle #2 September 2023

Starbuck Police Dept. - Starbuck "Night to Unite" Celebration
Minnesota Lake Police Dept. - Safer Community Program
Clearbrook-Gonvick Police Dept. - 3rd Grade Bicycle Safety Day and Event
Farmington Police Dept. - Bike Helmet Safety Campaign
Owatonna Police Dept. – Coptober
Belgrade/Brooten Police Dept. - L.E.A.D Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence Program
North Branch Police Dept. – Coffee, Cocoa and Pop with a Cop Program
La Crescent Police Dept. - National Night Out
Rochester Police Dept. - Driver's Education Mentoring Program
Saint Peter Police Dept. - Saint Peter Community Thread
Woodbury Public Safety Dept. - Woodbury Police Multicultural Advisory Committee
New Brighton Dept. of Public Safety in collaboration with Mounds View Police Dept. - Police Dogz
Menahga Police Department - National Night Out 2024 and other school-related events

First-time projects were prioritized over repeat projects. Repeat projects were prioritized if they featured notable expansions or critical need. Grant funding decisions were made by the MN Chiefs of Police Foundation Board of Directors, independent of the MN Chiefs of Police Association.

The Foundation will offer additional grant opportunities to police departments in the future as funds are raised from generous donors from the community. We are on our way toward making a statewide impact. We look forward to hearing all the positive stories from our grant recipients!

To learn more about the MN Chiefs of Police Foundation or to become a Foundation Member, please visit mnchiefsfoundation.org.

REGISTER FOR D.A.R.E. OFFICER TRAINING

Due to the high demand for more D.A.R.E. training, more training dates have been made available between October 2 and 13. View this flyer for more information, or contact Kathi Ackerman at [email protected] or by phone at 952-484-2195.

FAITH & BLUE 2023

Faith & Blue is now the largest, most consolidated police-community outreach effort in American history. All of the major national and state-level law enforcement associations are involved. The mission is to ‘facilitate safer and stronger communities by engaging officers and residents through the connections of faith-based community organizations.’ During these challenging times, Faith & Blue is increasingly impactful, and law enforcement entities alongside faith-based groups across the country are planning outreach activities for National Faith & Blue Weekend (Faith & Blue) 2023, set for Friday, October 6th through Monday, October 9th.

The partners in this unified movement are working toward the inclusion of all law enforcement agencies and all local faith communities, even if it’s a brief “Meet and Greet” with officers during or after congregational gatherings.

The official 2023 Faith & Blue Promotional video is now available to view online.

There is still plenty of time to plan and organize activities because everything needed to participate is thoroughly outlined and included in the Activity Planning Toolkit. We also have excellent social media templates that you can easily add your logo to and post on various social media platforms/website(s). Please use the hashtags #FaithAndBlue and #FaithAndBlue2023 when posting. The Social Media Toolkit and a wealth of other resources are available in the “Resources” section at www.faithandblue.org/resources.

Please make sure all your Faith & Blue Weekend 2023 activities are registered/submitted as soon as possible at www.faithandblue.org/submit-event.

If you require more information, want suggestions/ideas, have questions, or need any assistance, please contact the national office at [email protected] or (404) 605-7000.

MINNESOTA WILD LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION NIGHT

The Minnesota Wild invite you to the Law Enforcement night on Thursday, November 2, when the Wild take on the New Jersey Devils at 7 pm.

Their exclusively-priced ticket pack includes a Minnesota Wild-Law Enforcement branded hat & donation back to the law enforcement community. Use this link to purchase the ticket pack below for you and anyone else in your department or community who would be interested.