Legislator Recognition

The MCPA Legislator Recognition Program honors legislators' critical role in enhancing community safety and promoting effective policing policies. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to advancing legislation supporting the law enforcement community and ensuring all Minnesotans' safety. The program fosters a collaborative relationship between lawmakers and law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in addressing public safety challenges.

2025 Recipients

In 2025, the Legislator of the Year Award was presented to Senator Judy Seeberger and Representative Terry Stier for their leadership and sustained commitment to public safety. Both legislators have demonstrated strong support for Minnesota law enforcement through their legislative work, committee leadership, and advocacy on issues impacting officers, first responders, and the communities they serve.

Senator Judy Seeberger

Senator Judy Seeberger is recognized for her leadership on law enforcement initiatives through her service on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

She has advanced several MCPA legislative priorities, including leadership on Brady–Giglio legislation, carrying legislation to establish buffer zones for officers and first responders, and playing a key role in the passage of pension legislation that enhanced benefits and reduced delays for PERA members.

Representative Terry Stier

Representative Terry Stier is honored for his commitment to strengthening the law enforcement profession and improving public safety across Minnesota communities. His leadership includes service on the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee, the Public Safety Committee, and the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

With prior law enforcement experience, Representative Stier has been a valuable resource on public safety issues and has championed multiple MCPA legislative priorities, including legislation expanding the use of mobile tracking devices for fleeing motor vehicles, increasing penalties for fleeing a peace officer, and supporting funding for officer training, education, safety, and retirement benefits.

Criteria

A current Minnesota Senator or Representative qualifies for recognition if they do at least one of the following:

• Authors bills that address the legislative priorities identified by the MCPA Legislative Committee.
• Supports bills that are consistent with MCPA’s positions as identified by the MCPA Legislative Committee.
• Displays a desire to better understand and take action to solve the public policy challenges of law enforcement.
• Develops a thoughtful and persuasive argument that shapes the public narrative around an important issue facing local and/or national law enforcement.

Nomination and Selection Process

Any current MCPA Voting member can complete the nomination form to nominate a legislator for recognition by the association. The legislator must be in elected office at the time of the nomination to be eligible for recognition.

The Legislator Recognition Program nomination form is closed for 2025.

Past Recipients

• 2024 – Jeff Witte (R–57B)
• 2023 – Nick Frentz (DFL–18) and Kaohly Her (DFL–64A)
• 2021 – N/A
• 2021 – Paul Gazelka (R–9)
• 2020 – Michael Howard (DFL–51A)
• 2019 – Dave Pinto (DFL–64B)
• 2018 – Debra Hilstrom (DFL–40)
• 2017 – Nick Zerwas (R–30A)
• 2016 – Tony Cornish (R–23B)
• 2015 – Ron Latz (DFL–46)