C-Note: August 28, 2025
Executive Director Report
The horrific events that took place yesterday at Annunciation School in Minneapolis have reignited the conversation about school and church safety. We applaud the actions of all of the responders who were directly and indirectly involved in the response to this tragedy.
We anticipate that many of you will receive calls and emails from members of your community asking for additional resources at schools and/or churches. To help prepare you for those requests, I am working with DPS Commissioner Jacobson and the School Safety Center to convene a virtual meeting. The intent of the meeting is to provide additional details related to yesterday's shootings as well as to hear from the staff at the Minnesota School Safety Center. We believe this meeting will be helpful for you and your staff as you begin the new school year, following the events that took place yesterday.
I am still working with Commissioner Jacobson and his staff to set a date for this meeting. My hope is that the meeting will take place early next week. We will send out an email with additional details as soon as a date/time is set. The audience for this meeting will include all Chiefs and other command staff, as well as your School Resource Officers.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
State Agency Updates: A Fall Leadership Summit Highlight
The Fall Leadership Summit will feature a special panel session all about State Agency Updates. This session will provide chiefs and command staff the chance to hear directly from top state officials about what’s happening across Minnesota.
The Fall Leadership Summit panel includes:
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Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of Public Safety
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TJ Cunningham, Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety
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Christina Bogojevic, Colonel, State Patrol
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Eric Taubel, Commissioner, Office of Cannabis Management
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Scott Mueller, Deputy Superintendent, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
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Cathy Knutson, Deputy Superintendent, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
One of the key voices on the panel will be Eric Taubel, Commissioner of the Office of Cannabis Management. As Minnesota’s cannabis laws continue to evolve, these updates will help law enforcement leaders understand the latest regulations and their implications for local agencies.We encourage you to come ready with questions for the panel. You can learn more about the Fall Leadership Summit and register online at mnchiefs.org/events/fall-leadership-summit-2025.
Help Shape MCPA's 2026 Legislative Agenda
MCPA is preparing its legislative agenda for the 2026 session, and your input is essential. Advocacy at the Capitol is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable services we provide, and member proposals help guide this work.
Submit your ideas using this short three-question form by September 10, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed by the Legislative Committee, surveyed for support, and finalized by the Board of Directors in October. The adopted agenda will guide MCPA’s efforts at the Capitol.
The Legislative Committee will meet virtually on September 17, September 24, and October 8 to review and discuss proposals. Participation is welcome from agencies of all sizes across Minnesota. Members interested in deeper involvement are encouraged to join the committee. Contact Jeff Potts if you'd like to join.
Apply for a Community Partnerships Grant
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 Community Partnerships Grant Program, with $100,000 available to support law enforcement agencies statewide.
Departments can apply for up to $2,500 to fund programs, events, or outreach efforts that strengthen community relationships. Agencies that received funding in 2024 are welcome to apply again.
Applications are due Friday, September 12, 2025. Learn more and apply at mnchiefs.org/community-grants. For questions, contact Aimee Schroeder or Jeff Potts.
Small Agency Scholarships Available for Fall Leadership Summit
Thanks to the support of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation, scholarships are available to help small agencies with the cost of attending the 2025 Fall Leadership Summit at Cragun’s Resort.
This funding helps ensure that leaders from all departments, regardless of size, can participate in this new professional development opportunity. Agencies interested in applying can submit their scholarship request now.
Visit the Fall Leadership Summit Scholarship tab for more information and to access the application form.
City of Chaska Hiring Deputy Chief
The Chaska Police Department is seeking a dynamic, experienced and highly motivated Deputy Police Chief to serve as a trusted second-in-command to the current Chief of Police. This critical leadership position will function as the department's operational lead, focused on driving day-to-day performance, reinforcing accountability, and advancing the strategic vision of the Chief of Police.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned law enforcement professional with a strong background in all areas of policing, including tactical response and critical incident management. They will bring a steady, disciplined approach to leadership, holding personnel to high standards while constructively managing conflict and promoting professional growth.
The application deadline is September 14, 2025.
MN Wild Hero of the Game Nominations
The Axtell Group is partnering with the Minnesota Wild to honor outstanding law enforcement professionals at 12 home games this season. Officers, deputies, and troopers can be nominated for recent achievements or a career of dedicated service.
Nominees may include award recipients, community leaders, or those who quietly keep people safe.
Each honoree receives:
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Two tickets to a Wild home game (with possibility of extras)
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Recognition on the scoreboard during the first period
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A chance for their story to be shared on social media
Stay Connected on Tradewing
MCPA members have access to Tradewing, our online community engagement platform designed to keep you connected with fellow MCPA members.
On Tradewing, you can ask questions, seek advice and recommendations from colleagues, share resources, start and engage in discussions, stay updated on MCPA news, training, and events, and build stronger connections with peers across the state.
Logging in regularly ensures you don’t miss out on important conversations and opportunities to learn from fellow members. Use the same email address and password connected to your MCPA account. For assistance, contact info@mnchiefs.org.
Log in to Tradewing today to stay engaged with your fellow MCPA members. You can also download the Tradewing mobile app for a seamless experience.
Lights On! Suspends Operations in Minnesota
After nearly a decade of fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve, the Lights On! program has suspended operations in Minnesota effective immediately.
Lights On! was launched by MicroGrants in 2017 to address a simple but powerful issue: helping low-income drivers avoid a downward financial spiral caused by minor equipment violations. By replacing tickets with repair vouchers, the program promoted traffic safety, financial stability, and—perhaps most importantly—positive engagement between officers and community members.
Thanks to the commitment of Minnesota’s law enforcement agencies and local auto repair shops, Lights On! became a national model. More than 10,000 vouchers have been issued, with 99% of recipients reporting a positive experience with law enforcement.
Unfortunately, the current program model could not be sustained financially despite great effort, including a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety, which covered the cost of repairs. Minnesota law enforcement partners were asked to stop distributing vouchers and collect any unused vouchers. Auto shops will be reimbursed for repairs completed through July 31, 2025, and invoices must have been submitted by August 5, 2025.
MicroGrants and the Lights On! board of directors are currently reviewing alternate models and are considering the Lights ON USA Model, where departments obtain a sponsor for the administration and operation of the program. For example, in California, the local baseball team sponsors San Diego, and in San Antonio, a grocery store chain is their sponsor. Departments interested in discussing the sponsorship model or with further questions may contact retired Chief John Harrington (JMH@Microgrants.net). An update is expected to be shared in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. For updates and more information, please visit www.lightsonus.org.