C- Notes: December 5, 2025
Executive Director Report
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday and were able to relax and spend time with family and friends. We anticipate the coming weeks to be stressful as you balance the rest of the holidays with your responsibilities at your agencies. Through all of this, it's important to remember to take time for yourself. To reflect, relax, and recharge for the coming year. Never hesitate to reach out to our team at MCPA if you need anything. We are here to help in any way we can.
I want to share a quick update regarding the email we sent out a couple of weeks ago about the proposed amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines. After a thoughtful and in-depth conversation with our Board of Directors and feedback from members, the attached letter was crafted and sent to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. As you will see in the letter, MCPA is supportive of some sections of the proposal but critical of others.
The next step in adopting any changes to the Sentencing Guidelines will take place during the upcoming Legislative Session. We will continue to follow the discussion and work to ensure our feedback is included.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Membership Renewal Notices Sent
MCPA sent membership renewal notices to all members on December 2. As you plan for the new year, please take a moment to review your invoice and submit your renewal. Dues can be paid by check, ACH, or credit card, and agencies that need to process payment after January 1 are welcome to do so. Please note that all dues should be received by January 31, 2026.
Your continued membership supports the work of the Association, including professional development programs, legislative advocacy, region outreach, and ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and training opportunities for Minnesota law enforcement.
If you have questions about your renewal or need help accessing your invoice, please contact info@mnchiefs.org.
MCPA Peer Support Program
MCPA is developing a new Peer Support Program designed specifically for Chiefs and Command Staff. While peer support is essential to overall wellness, many agency programs do not include CLEOs or Command Staff in their internal structures. MCPA is committed to filling that gap by offering a dedicated, confidential, and well-supported resource for Minnesota’s law enforcement leaders.
We encourage Chiefs and Command Staff to consider joining this team and completing the upcoming peer support training.
- Dates: February 25–27, 2026
- Schedule: Wednesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., plus 6 hours of required online coursework prior to the in-person sessions
- Location: New Brighton Department of Public Safety
- Cost: $275 per person
- POST Credit: Approved for 30 CEUs (in-person) and compliant with Minnesota Statute §181.9731 (Public Safety Peer Counseling)
Lunch will be provided Wednesday through Friday, along with daily snacks. Attendees are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle; filling stations will be available on site.
Visit the Peer Support event page for more information.
ETI 2026
Registration is now open for the 2026 Executive Training Institute & Law Enforcement Expo. Join more than 400 Minnesota law enforcement leaders April 13–16 at the Rivers Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.
Why attend?
- Expert-led sessions on leadership, crisis management, community policing, and emerging trends in public safety
- An Expo hall featuring top vendors, products, and services for law enforcement agencies
- Networking with peers and command-level professionals from across Minnesota
- Practical insights and takeaways you can bring back to your department and apply immediately
Whether you’re looking to advance your leadership skills, improve department operations, or stay ahead of emerging trends, the 2026 ETI is your must-attend event to help shape the future of policing in Minnesota.
ETI Small & Rural Agency Scholarship
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) is offering 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to help small and rural agencies send their chiefs or designees to ETI 2026. The Foundation approved this funding at its December board meeting, and applications are now being accepted.
Eligible agencies are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of this support. Full details and links to the ETI event page, scholarship information, and the application form are available below.
We want to thank the MCPF Board and all of the generous corporate and individual donors for their hard work and commitment to supporting our members’ training, development, and access to programming.
Scholarship applications are due January 9, 2026.
City of Shakopee Hiring Police Chief
The City of Shakopee is seeking its next Police Chief, a forward-thinking and community-focused leader to guide the department and advise city leadership on public safety. This is an excellent opportunity to serve a growing, diverse community with a strong commitment to professional policing.
Candidates must hold a valid Minnesota POST license, possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and have at least five years of supervisory law enforcement experience, including at least one year at the division-commander level (Lieutenant or above). The salary range is $79.62 to $97.47 per hour.
More details and application instructions are available at https://tinyurl.com/mtcktjd7.
City of Fairmont Hiring Police Chief
The City of Fairmont is hiring its next Police Chief. The position oversees the Police Department’s leadership, strategic direction, and daily operations, and reports to the City Administrator. The role is open due to the current Chief’s retirement.
Fairmont PD includes 18 full-time officers, two full-time records technicians, part-time officers, and a part-time CSO-Cadet. Candidates must meet Minnesota POST licensing requirements, hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and have at least 10 years of law enforcement experience with five years in a supervisory role. The hiring range is $115,585.60 to $127,982.40 DOQ, with a full range up to $146,328.00.
More details and application instructions are available at https://fairmont.org/jobs-2.
Accessing the ViCAP National Crime Database
The FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is a nationwide system that helps law enforcement agencies analyze and link violent crime cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons with suspected foul play, and unidentified human remains. ViCAP allows agencies to securely enter, compare, and review case information at the local, state, and national level.
Agencies must have active access to the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP) in order to use ViCAP. Each user must obtain a LEEP ID, and every agency needs a designated ViCAP LEA Manager (LEAM) to serve as the point of contact with the FBI.
A step-by-step guide on how to gain access is available in the PDF linked here.
Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Night
Discounted Gophers Tickets for First Responders
The University of Minnesota Athletics Department is offering discounted tickets to upcoming First Responder Appreciation Games:
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Nov. 1: Football vs. Michigan State -
Nov. 11: Women’s Basketball vs. Marquette -
Jan. 17: Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan
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Feb. 28: Men’s Basketball vs. UCLA
The first 50 football purchasers receive VIP Halftime Tunnel access, and all football ticket holders can go on the field after the game. The first 50 men’s hockey purchasers get a VIP Locker Room Tour.