C-NOTES: December 6, 2023

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

Last Wednesday, we wrapped up this year's Critical Issues Series. This year we tried something new by offering the series in person and online. We have approximately 130 attendees at each session. The series included some important and timely topics. If you have registered for this training the recordings have been made available. 

The final training included a session on: 

1. Use of Force 2.0 (Duty to Intervene and Duty to Render Aid) by Imran Ali
2. State-funded recruitment Programs (Intensive Comprehensive Police Officer Education Program and Pathways to Policing grants by Mary Vukalich and Kristian Lail
3. New Cannabis Laws (Enforcement, Searches, and Employment issues) by Mitchel Cell and Imran Ali.

Thank you to everyone who attended and thank you to our speakers and presenters.

[email protected]

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

This week at Camp Ripley, the MCPA is conducting our 3rd Leadership Academy of 2023.

We have 42 new leaders from agencies all over the state attending this week's Leadership Academy. This course has been updated to include relevant and timely presentations that will help prepare new leaders for the challenges they will face in their new positions.

We will be offering this course in May 2024. There is high demand for this course. Register online if you would like to reserve a seat for new leaders in your agency.

REGISTER NOW FOR ETI 2024

MCPA is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 Executive Training Institute Conference! This year, the education we are offering at ETI embraces the reality we face in the noble profession of policing. Scheduled from April 15-18, 2024, this year's ETI will take place at Rivers Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Programming begins mid-day on April 15 and ends at noon on April 18.

Learn more at mnchiefs.org/2024-eti-expo at visit mcpa.memberclicks.net/eti2024#!/ to complete your registration. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2024 Executive Training Institute Conference and continuing our tradition of excellence in professional development.

MCPA HIRING A DIRECTOR OF MN LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

MCPA has been selected by the U.S. Department of Justice to receive a grant for approximately $360,000 to develop and implement a Statewide Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

Law enforcement accreditation is a self-initiated, voluntary process where agencies operate within a specific set of state and nationally recognized standards or best practices within the industry. Accrediting bodies compile these best practices and regulations into standards manuals. 

To maintain and prove compliance with these standards, agencies typically have to develop policies, training, and accountability for areas such as:

• High-liability areas (vehicle pursuits, vehicle operation, critical incident response, investigative techniques, use of force, etc.)
• Personnel management
• Evidence handling

We will begin the process of developing the Minnesota accreditation program over the coming months. One of the first steps will be to hire a person to manage and develop the program. Please see the new job description for the Director of Minnesota Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Please share this with anyone you think is qualified.

CLEO & COMMAND ACADEMY

C-NOTES: August 31, 2023

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

MCPA continues to lead efforts to seek a solution to the new School Resource Officer laws that have been causing uncertainty and concerns among agencies across the state. 

Yesterday afternoon, Eagan Chief Roger New, MCPA General Counsel Andy LeFevour, and I, along with Representatives from the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, MPPOA, and League of Minnesota Cities, met with the Commissioners of DPS, Department of Education and Several Representatives from Governor Walz office. During this meeting, we explained in detail why this law is causing concerns. We also provided a suggestion as to how this new law could be modified to remove our concerns and pave the way for all SRO's to return to schools immediately. We suggested removing any reference to "SRO's" and "other officers contracted by the district" from Section 121A of Minnesota Statute. We explained that Minnesota statute 609.06 provides clear guidance on police officer Use of Force. As you all know, the statute was amended in 2021 to prohibit chokeholds and some other restraints. We feel strongly that creating two different standards for the use of force creates confusion and is simply not necessary. During the meeting, we asked the Governor's Staff to address this issue with a special session that is singularly focused on fixing the law. 

Despite ongoing discussions and media coverage, Governor Walz seems reluctant to call for a special session. Members of both parties, including the Governor, have indicated a willingness to address the language in this law come February. House and Senate Republicans held a press conference yesterday to address this. During this press conference, Blaine Chief Brian Podany spoke about the challenges and concerns created by the new law. Republican members from the House and Senate have prepared a bill to repeal the changes made to Minnesota Stature 121A entirely.

To help provide you with as much information as possible on this issue, we have started a running list of Police and Sheriff's Departments who have suspended their SRO programs or have decided not to renew a contract for the upcoming school year. You can find this information on the MCPA Tradewing page at this link: https://mcpa.tradewing.com/

CALL TO ACTION:
Please contact your local elected officers from the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives and encourage them to ask the Governor to call for a Special Session to fix this law so ALL SROs can return to their schools. A special session could be conducted over a virtual platform, taking less than 2 hours. There is no reason why this issue can't be fixed before next Tuesday. 

Here's a list of news/media outlets that have covered this last week's C-notes:

• Minnesota GOP wants special session over new law that has some districts pulling SROs
• Minnesota Republicans call for special session to repeal change in school resource officer law
• Police departments pull school officers due to Minnesota restraint law
• Anoka, Coon Rapids police pull school resource officers due to new Minnesota law
• Hennepin Co. Sheriff's Office to pull school resource officer after MN law changes
• Some Minnesota school police partnerships paused amid questions about restraint law
• Walz discusses school resource officers being pulled from Minnesota schools
• MN lawmakers address concerns over new school resource officer restrictions
• New law has police and sheriffs wondering whether to station officers in Minnesota schools

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

BECOME A 2023 MINNESOTA CHIEFS OF POLICE FOUNDATION MEMBER TODAY! 

We are asking for your support. Please consider becoming a 2023 Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation Member. By donating, you would join a community of supporters who believe in our mission to ensure high-quality, effective policing in Minnesota and police-community solid relations. Your support goes toward meeting critical needs across the state with initiatives like the Community Partnership Grant Program, ETI Training Scholarships, and Diversity and Recruitment Initiatives like Wear the Badge. 

Community Partnership Grant Program:

By September, the Foundation will have given out over $50,000 in grant funding to police departments to help them advance community partnerships and deepen their trust with the public. Community trust-building programs require funding and resources that many police departments simply do not have. 

ETI Training Scholarships:

MCPF also raises funds to offer Executive Training Institute (ETI) scholarships to police leaders (especially for smaller agencies) in Minnesota that otherwise would be unable to attend due to budget constraints. Scholarships are especially critical in helping newly appointed police chiefs attend and receive leadership training. Advanced training can help Minnesota police departments better handle the challenging and evolving landscape of policing and is a significant priority.

Promote Diversity and Recruitment:

We are all aware that the state of Minnesota is experiencing shortages in police officers, which has a severe impact on the safety and security of our communities. The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation stands ready to help promote diversity and recruitment as a priority. The Wear the Badge initiative is an education and awareness campaign that helps those interested in law enforcement learn more about the profession. MCPF funds the Wear the Badge initiative, and your support will help improve the recruitment and retention of quality police officers across the state. 

By supporting the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation, you are investing in the future of policing and making a statewide impact. Your valuable gift will go far to help recruit the best into the policing profession as well as provide advanced training and wellness resources to build high-quality, effective officers. Your donation also supports outreach projects that build trust and transparency between cops and communities. Join us in this mission and become a MCPF Member Today!

HAWARDEN, IA SEEKING POLICE CHIEF

The City of Hawarden, Iowa, is seeking candidates for the position of police chief. Hawarden is located in the Northwest corner of Iowa, just 45 miles south of Sioux Falls, SD, and 35 miles north of Sioux City, IA, giving our residents the conveniences of big city living and a small town's safe, quiet community lifestyle. Learn more at https://www.cityofhawarden.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8441/f/uploads/2023_hawarden_police_chief_advertisement.pdf.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and salary history by 4 p.m. on September 29 to Cayler Consulting at [email protected].

LEXIPOL CONNECT VIRTUAL USER GROUP CONFERENCE 2023

On Wednesday, September 6, attend Lexipol’s virtual annual Connect User Group Conference! Their theme for this year’s event is “Empowering Safer Communities.”  

Why should you attend? Gain insight from industry experts, learn about Lexipol’s products and services, and connect with peers across the public safety spectrum. 

Register online.

FBI NORTHWEST CHAPTER NAA 2023 CONFERENCE

Register now for the annual September 18-20 conference in Alexandria hosted by the Northwest Chapter of the FBI NAA, an opportunity for excellent training, networking, and socializing. Learn more and register online.