C-Notes: May 2, 2025
Executive Director Report
We are excited to announce that we have officially begun to train agencies who have enrolled in the new Minnesota Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MNLEAP). This week, our staff visited Wyoming (Chief Neil Bauer), Redwood Falls (Chief Jason Cotner), and Wintrop (Chief Logan Anderson) police departments to conduct Accreditation Managers training. Our staff plans to visit each agency participating in MNLEAP to provide tailored training, ensuring Accreditation Managers are well-prepared for their roles throughout the program.
20 agencies have already enrolled in MNLEAP. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of Accreditation or how to enroll in the program feel free to reach out to our Accreditation staff.
Andy LeFevour, Director of Accreditation
- Email: mnleap@mnchiefs.org
- Phone: 612-269-7445
Josh Potts, Accreditation Specialist
- Email: Josh@mnchiefs.org
- Phone: 763-616-0153
You can also check out the Accreditation tab on our website at mnchiefs.org/mnleap for additional information on MNLEAP, including the enrollment application. We are also offering financial assistance for small agencies. Details are on the website, or contact Josh or Andy if you have questions
We sincerely appreciate the interest in the MNLEAP program. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we continue to roll out the initial phase of the program.
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
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Legislative Update
As of 7:30 pm on April 30, 2025
2025 Legislative Session…..Done in Regulation or Going to Overtime?
May 19 is the constitutional date for adjournment and it is quickly approaching. Both the House and Senate have been working furiously to pass their respective budget bills since their return from the Easter/Passover break last week. About half of the major appropriations bills have passed each respective body. Of course, the funding and policy provisions are different and must be reconciled, a process that involves “conference committees.” For each appropriations bill, an equal number of House and Senate members, usually five from each body, are chosen by leadership to serve as the negotiators. The House and Senate conferees will negotiate with each other but also with the Walz Administration over the next several weeks. The result of those negotiations will be a conference committee report, which is the final version of the bill that becomes law following the Governor’s signature. At least three conferees from both the House and Senate conference committee must vote to include language and funding items as well as sign the final conference committee report for it to be valid. The conference committee report is then put to a vote in both bodies and requires a simple majority to pass.
Before the legislature can engage in the conference committee process, however, legislative leaders and the Governor must first agree on global budget targets. You’ll recall from previous updates that the House and Senate had established their respective budget targets that each budget bill must adhere to. Now that the bills have passed or will pass both bodies, global targets agreed to by the House, Senate, and Governor are needed in order to arrive at the one position for each budget area that is acceptable to the legislature and can receive the Governor’s approval. If the legislature is going to adjourn by May 19, then it needs to establish global budget targets in the very near future so the committee chairs have time to negotiate their final budget bills. If the legislature cannot finish by May 19, then the next deadline that comes into play is the end of the state’s fiscal year, which is midnight on June 30. If at that time, some or all of the budget bills have not passed, then the government, in whole or in part, will shut down until a budget is passed.
Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants
One of the major sticking points that must be resolved for the session to wrap in an orderly manner is the provision of public health insurance for undocumented immigrants. During the 2023 legislative session, the legislature passed a bill that would allow undocumented individuals access to Minnesota Care. At the time, the Minnesota Department of Human Services estimated that about 5,800 people would sign up for the service, but actual data shows that almost 17,400 individuals signed up for coverage. Republicans point to the surge in enrollment as an incentive for illegal immigrants to come to Minnesota. The Democrats argue that people should simply have access to insurance because without it they will show up at the hospital and the costs of their care will still be borne by the system as uncompensated care. Given the focus on illegal immigration in the last election, some Republicans see this issue as both good policy and good politics.
Special Election in Senate District 6
You’ll recall that Justin Eichorn resigned his Senate seat several weeks ago after being arrested for soliciting a minor. The special election to fill Eichorn’s seat was held yesterday and Kari Heintzman, a Republican from Nisswa, was elected. She is the wife of current House member Josh Heintzman, and the Heintzmans will now be the second set of spouses serving in the House and Senate at the same time. She will be sworn in in the coming days, which will return the Senate to its full complement. The Democrats will continue to control the Senate 34-33.
Maple Grove Hiring Deputy Police Chief
Join the Maple Grove Police Department and play a pivotal role in the strategic direction and daily execution of Police Department operations. You'll mentor and guide commanders and leadership staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Develop and implement innovative programs and services, and step into the Chief's role when needed. If you're committed to professional growth and making a lasting impact on your community, this is the perfect opportunity to advance your career.
Salary Range: $148,703.36 – $197,568.80 annually
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM
Estimated Start Date: July 2025
Minnesota Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention
The Minnesota Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention was established in August 2024 and tasked with developing a comprehensive blueprint and recommendations to improve Minnesota’s child protection system and to prevent unnecessary entry of children and families into the system. Final recommendations are due by January 2026. The Council includes members from across the child protection system, including youth and parents with lived experience.
The Council is currently convening community focus groups and conducting surveys about how to improve the child protection system. One of these focus groups will be with law enforcement involved in child protection removals or otherwise involved in the child protection system. The Council wants to learn about the challenges law enforcement experience with the child protection system, and about how attendees would change the child protection system to ensure that children are safe.
This focus group will be held on Monday, May 19, from 12:30 to 2:30pm. Learn more and register here: https://questionpro.com/t/AOd1KZ58rc. Please register by end of business on Thursday, May 15.
If you are unable to participate in the focus group, there will be a survey later in the year that the Council will encourage you to take.
Nominate an Outstanding Juvenile Officer
The Minnesota Juvenile Officers Association (MNJOA) is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Outstanding Juvenile Officer of the Year award. This annual honor recognizes a sworn police officer in Minnesota who has demonstrated excellence in youth engagement by serving as a positive role model, building meaningful relationships with young people, and fostering strong partnerships between schools, communities, and law enforcement.
To nominate an officer, submit a written statement outlining why the nominee deserves this recognition. Letters of recommendation are encouraged. For questions, contact MNJOA Secretary Jenny Boswell at secretary@mnjoa.org. Nominations are due by May 15, 2025.
Force in Focus from Conflict to Cooperation
Join law enforcement leaders from across the country May 20–22 at the Mall of America for LETAC USA’s “Force in Focus: From Conflict to Cooperation.” This three-day symposium will explore use-of-force issues through open dialogue, innovative policy ideas, and strategies to build trust and transparency.
Only 20 spots remain! Registration closes on May 5.