C-Notes: October 16 2026
Executive Director Report
As we prepare for the 2027 Minnesota Legislative Session, MCPA has been working to identify and prioritize legislative proposals that address the challenges facing police chiefs and law enforcement agencies across our state.
Over the past several months, our Legislative Committee has reviewed proposals submitted by members, gathered feedback, and evaluated potential legislative changes. This process helps ensure our agenda reflects the needs of agencies of all sizes, from small rural departments to our largest metropolitan agencies.
The MCPA Board of Directors has approved our 2027 Legislative Agenda, which builds upon our existing legislative priorities while incorporating several new initiatives. The agenda addresses a wide range of issues, including law enforcement training funding, officer recruitment and retention, public safety technology, data practices, officer wellness, and criminal justice policy.
These priorities reflect the challenges our members face every day and our continued efforts to ensure Minnesota law enforcement agencies have the resources, tools, and legislative support necessary to serve their communities effectively.
As we approach the legislative session, our Legislative Committee and lobbying team at Cozen O'Connor will continue working with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance these priorities.
I encourage all members to review the full agenda and stay engaged throughout the legislative session. Your firsthand experiences and perspectives are essential to our advocacy efforts and help ensure the voices of Minnesota's police chiefs are heard at the Capitol.
View MCPA's 2027 Legislative Agenda
Thank you,
Chief Jeff Potts (Ret.)
MCPA Executive Director
Registration is now open for the 2027 MCPA Executive Training Institute & Law Enforcement Expo, taking place April 6–9, 2027, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
ETI brings together more than 400 law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota for four days of training, collaboration, and connection. Attendees can expect timely educational sessions, engaging speakers, opportunities to learn from colleagues, and an Expo Hall featuring more than 100 exhibitors showcasing products, technology, and services for law enforcement agencies.
New this year, the official ETI host hotel is the Inn on Lake Superior. The hotel will also serve as the Hospitality Nights location during the conference. Members are encouraged to review the hotel options and book early, as several hotels are included in the ETI room block.
The week will also include the annual Statewide Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 8, recognizing outstanding service and accomplishments across Minnesota law enforcement.
Make plans now to join us in Duluth for MCPA’s largest training and networking event of the year.
Congratulations to Chief Erika Scheider and the Roseville Police Department on becoming the first law enforcement agency in Minnesota to achieve accreditation through the Minnesota Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MNLEAP).
This historic milestone reflects the department's commitment to professional excellence, accountability, transparency, and adherence to recognized best practices in law enforcement.
Launched in January 2025, MNLEAP establishes professional standards for Minnesota law enforcement agencies, evaluating policies, procedures, training, and daily operations. The accreditation process includes a comprehensive review of areas such as evidence handling, officer training, community interactions, data practices, and internal accountability.
Roseville Police began the accreditation process in 2025 under the leadership of Deputy Chief Joe Adams, with employees from across the department contributing to the effort.
“Earning accreditation demonstrates our commitment to accountability, transparency and the highest professional standards in serving our community,” said Roseville Police Chief Erika Scheider.
MNLEAP provides Minnesota agencies with an accessible, state-specific alternative to national accreditation programs. Currently, 30 law enforcement agencies across the state are enrolled in the program.
Roseville's achievement marks a significant milestone not only for the department, but also for MNLEAP and the advancement of professional law enforcement standards throughout Minnesota.
Congratulations to Chief Scheider and the entire Roseville Police Department on this accomplishment!
The Axtell Group is partnering with the Minnesota Wild to recognize outstanding law enforcement professionals at 12 home games this season.
Agencies can nominate an officer, deputy, or trooper who has made a difference through a recent achievement, community service, life-saving actions, or a career of dedicated service.
Selected honorees will receive two tickets to a Wild home game, recognition on the scoreboard, and an opportunity for their agency to share their story on social media.
Questions can be directed to Storme Dunn at stormewdunn@theaxtellgroup.com.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is reestablishing its Police Stop File process, which helps notify supervising probation agents when individuals under supervision have contact with law enforcement.
Originally developed nearly two decades ago through collaboration between DOC, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), and law enforcement vendors, the process uses daily data files to support automated notifications to probation agents.
The process was interrupted in mid-2025, and updated files have not been distributed since that time. MNIT has since modernized the system, allowing DOC to restore access for participating law enforcement agencies and their technology vendors.
Action Required for Law Enforcement Agencies
While the underlying process remains largely unchanged, agencies must establish a new account through the Minnesota IT file transfer service at filetransfer.mn.gov to resume receiving Police Stop Files.
Agencies should coordinate with their IT staff or technology vendors to complete the following steps:
- Contact DOC at fs-admin.doc@state.mn.us to request access and provide an agency email address.
- Follow the email instructions to register and verify an account through the Minnesota IT file transfer service.
- Access Police Stop Files using either a web browser or an SFTP client.
- Work with IT staff or vendors to ensure the files are incorporated into the agency's existing notification process.
DOC has provided detailed instructions covering account registration, file access, password requirements, and troubleshooting.
Additional Information and Instructions
- Reestablishing Police Stop Files, DOC memo dated October 7, 2026
- DOC Portal – Instructions for PoliceStop
For questions or assistance with account setup, contact the DOC at fs-admin.doc@state.mn.us.
Make Your Voice Heard Through IACP's RAPID: Blue
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is asking law enforcement professionals to participate in RAPID: Blue, a text-based micro-survey designed to gather real-time feedback on critical issues in policing.
The survey is open to officers and police staff of all ranks and assignments and takes less than 30 seconds each week to complete.
MCPA members are encouraged to sign up and complete the weekly survey. Your participation helps ensure the experiences and perspectives of Minnesota law enforcement professionals are represented as IACP gathers input from across the profession.
Gopher Athletics is inviting Minnesota’s first responder community to several upcoming First Responder Appreciation Games with discounted ticket offers.
Game details:
- November 7 – Football vs. UCLA
- December 20 – Women’s Basketball vs. Grambling State
- January 9 – Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan
- February 13 – Men’s Basketball vs. Oregon
The first 50 football ticket purchasers will receive access to the VIP Halftime Tunnel, and all purchasers will be able to go on the field after the game to take photos.
Members are encouraged to share this opportunity with their departments and other first responders.
Minnesota United is inviting Minnesota’s first responder community to Allianz Field for a special First Responder Night as the Loons take on Sporting Kansas City.
Game details:
- Wednesday, October 28
- 7:30 p.m.
- Allianz Field
First responders, family members, friends, and supporters are encouraged to attend and help celebrate those who serve their communities. A portion of every ticket purchased through the special offer will go back to support first responders.
The first 50 people to purchase tickets will also receive access to the Warm Up Watchers experience, offering a ground-level view of pregame warm-ups from behind the stadium LED boards.
For questions, contact Minnesota United representative Makayla Bishop at 763-231-1981 or makayla.bishop@mnufc.com.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has made several enhancements to PsPortals to improve the functionality of KOPS Alert images and address requests from law enforcement related to the Domestic Abuse Law change that took effect August 1, 2026.
This law extended the timeframe allowing law enforcement to make a warrantless probable cause arrest for certain nonfelony domestic abuse offenses from 72 hours to 14 days.
KOPS Alerts – Images
- Images: Law enforcement can now view an image in a KOPS Alert response when the alert has an associated photo stored in MN HOTFILES. The photo will be included in the alert response when one of the following Message Keys (MKEs) is used:
- QMW – MV Registration, DL Status, Vehicle and Person Files Query
- QDP – Driver Record and Person Files Query
- QDM – Query Driver Record / MV Registration / Person Files / Vehicle Files
- QDW – Query Driver’s Status / Person Files
Domestic Abuse Warrantless Arrests – KOPS Alerts
To support the recent change in law, KOPS has been enhanced to allow law enforcement to Enter, Modify, and QueryKOPS Alerts for Domestic Abuse Warrantless Arrests. Law enforcement should use the Enter Attempt to Locate (EATL) Message Key when entering these alerts. The following enhancements have been made:
- Classification (CLA): A new Domestic Abuse (DA) classification is available.
- Incident Time (ITM): When the DA classification is selected, the incident date and time are required. KOPS will use the incident date and time to determine when the alert expires rather than the date the alert was entered.
- Duration (DUR): When the DA classification is selected, the duration will automatically populate to 336 hours (14 days). Other duration options, including 12, 24, and 72 hours, will not be available for the DA classification.
Please contact the BCA Service Desk with any questions: bca.servicedesk@state.mn.us | 651-793-2500 | 888-234-1119
Join the Minnesota Team for the IACP Police Chase 5K
MCPA members attending the IACP Annual Conference in Orlando are invited to join fellow Minnesota attendees for the IACP Police Chase 5K at SeaWorld Orlando.
MCPA President Chief Brian Podany has created a Minnesota team so members can participate together. When registering, select “MN Chiefs of Police Association MCPA” from the team dropdown menu and use the password Minnesota1.
You don’t need to be a serious runner to participate. Registration is limited, so sign up early!
Law Enforcement Trainings & Events
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association is launching the MCPA Executive Leadership College, an intensive leadership and management program designed for current and aspiring chiefs, sheriffs, and command staff.
Comparable in scope to nationally recognized programs such as Northwestern’s Police Staff & Command School and the FBI National Academy, this series prepares experienced professionals for the demands of senior leadership.
Participants will earn a Certificate of Completion and receive 12 graduate-level credits from Metro State University, which may be applied toward a Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Public Safety Leadership.
Topics include strategic leadership, executive decision-making, community engagement, organizational psychology, communication, and data-driven policing. Instruction is delivered by experienced Minnesota law enforcement leaders.
Session Dates: November 2026 through April 2027
For questions, contact Stephanie Revering, MCPA Training and Operations Director.
Registration is open for MCPA’s 2026 Leadership Academies, an immersive 3.5-day training experience designed for middle management and first-line supervisors in law enforcement. The Academy helps participants make a confident transition from street officer to effective supervisor, covering essential topics such as complaint sorting and discipline, performance appraisals, leadership principles, and media relations.
Upcoming 2026 Sessions:
May 18–21 — New BrightonSept. 15–18 — New Brighton- Dec. 7–11 — Camp Ripley
Sessions are taught by seasoned Minnesota leadership instructors and are limited to 30–40 attendees per session.
Registration is now open for the 2027 New Chiefs & Command Academy, taking place February 1–5, 2027, at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.
Designed for Chief Law Enforcement Officers and command staff, this intensive five-day academy focuses on the leadership, administrative, and strategic responsibilities of leading a modern law enforcement agency. Participants will learn from experienced chiefs, legal professionals, and subject matter experts while gaining practical tools they can immediately apply within their organizations.
Topics include budgeting, human resources, policy development, media relations, data practices, diversity and inclusion, POST requirements, strategic planning, and navigating the unique political and legal challenges of serving as a chief. The academy also features a CLEO panel discussion and networking opportunities with law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota.
Registration is open through January 28, 2027. Additional information, including the agenda and registration details, is available below.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition is the largest and most impactful law enforcement event of the year – more than 16,000 public safety professionals come to learn new techniques, advance their knowledge and careers, and equip their department for ongoing success.
The three tenets of the conference are training, networking, and exhibit hall education. Hosted in Orlando, Florida, from October 24-27, IACP 2026 will span four days of education and networking. The exposition hall will be open Sunday – Tuesday of the conference to meet with more than 600 vendors showcasing products and services to assist the law enforcement profession.
Women in Command Hosted by Savage Police Dept.
Registration is open for Women in Command: Excelling as Female Leaders, a two-day leadership program designed for current and aspiring female leaders in law enforcement.
Hosted by the Savage Police Department, the training will be held November 16–17, 2026, at the Savage Environmental Learning and Event Center in Savage, Minnesota.
Led by executive-level female instructors, the course explores the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in law enforcement while providing practical strategies to strengthen leadership presence, build credibility, mentor others, and inspire high-performing teams. Topics include effective leadership principles, organizational structure, leading in today's environment, supervising other women, and breaking through the glass ceiling.
Registration is $359 per person, or $329 per person for groups of four or more using discount code WIC30. Registration information is available below. For questions or to register a large group, contact Maddie Arnold at madeline@calibrepress.com.
Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) is offering its annual Critical Incident Training at three locations across Minnesota. The one-day training is designed for public safety professionals who may be involved in or responsible for managing a critical incident, providing practical guidance on what to expect before, during, and after these high-stakes events. Participants will receive six Minnesota POST continuing education credits at no cost.
Training dates include:
- November 5, 2026 – Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office (Mankato)
- November 12, 2026 – Duluth Police Department
- January 13, 2027 – St. Cloud Police Department
Registration priority is given to LELS members, but non-members are welcome to register if space is available.
Partner Resources
Lexipol is offering a free Wellness Assessment to help public safety agencies evaluate their current approach to employee wellness and identify opportunities for improvement.
The assessment takes just a few minutes to complete and provides personalized results based on recognized wellness best practices. Agencies can use the assessment to:
- Evaluate their wellness program across key focus areas
- Identify opportunities to better support personnel and reduce burnout
- Receive practical recommendations based on their agency’s results
- Consider ways to strengthen their overall culture of wellness
The assessment is designed specifically for public safety agencies and can serve as a starting point for agencies looking to evaluate or strengthen their existing wellness efforts.