C-Notes: October 2, 2026
Executive Director Report
Earlier this week, more than 100 law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota joined us at Cragun’s Resort for the 2nd Annual MCPA Fall Leadership Summit.
Over two and a half days, attendees explored some of the most pressing issues facing law enforcement leaders today, from building resilient organizations and navigating emerging technology to strengthening decision-making, wellness, and accountability. Just as valuable were the opportunities to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Thank you to everyone who attended and took time away from your agencies to participate. Your engagement and willingness to be part of these conversations are what make events like this so valuable.
I also want to thank our presenters and generous sponsors, as well as our Conference Committee, MCPA Board of Directors, Stephanie Revering and Acacia Huss-Zirzow, and the entire MCPA staff. A tremendous amount of planning and coordination goes into an event like this, and their work helped make our second annual Fall Leadership Summit a success.
Looking ahead, registration is now open for the 2027 Executive Training Institute & Law Enforcement Expo, April 6–9 in Duluth. ETI remains our largest training and networking event of the year, and I hope to see many of you there.
Thank you,
Chief Jeff Potts (Ret.)
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.
ALPR Resources
As Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology continues to receive increased attention from policymakers and communities, several national law enforcement organizations have developed new resources to help agencies communicate about the technology, its use, and appropriate safeguards.
The materials include:
- MCPA Statement on Automated License Plate Readers, which outlines MCPA’s position supporting responsible use of ALPR technology with appropriate safeguards, oversight and accountability, while emphasizing local decision-making and recognizing concerns related to privacy, data retention and transparency.
- Law Enforcement Principles for Responsible Use of ALPR Technology, developed jointly by 13 national law enforcement and public safety organizations, including IACP, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National HIDTA Directors Association. The principles address written policies, authorized access, auditing, training, documented queries, verification, retention, data sharing, and accountability.
- ALPR Myths vs. Facts, which provides information agencies can use when discussing how ALPR works, investigative uses of the technology, safeguards, and common questions about privacy, data sharing, and retention.
- ALPR and the Fourth Amendment, a resource summarizing federal and state court decisions addressing Fourth Amendment challenges involving ALPR technology.
- Save Lives, Solve Crimes, a two-page resource from the Major County Sheriffs of America highlighting examples of ALPR use and recommended accountability measures, including documented queries, controlled access, audit trails, and consequences for misuse.
These resources may be helpful for MCPA members when communicating with community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders about ALPR technology and the policies and safeguards surrounding its use.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
SAVE and the Bloomington Police Department are hosting two informational webinars this fall for agencies interested in learning how to build a LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team in their community.
The sessions will share lessons learned from Bloomington’s LOSS Team and provide an opportunity for agencies to ask questions about starting a similar program.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s National Law Enforcement Ministry will be at the Omni Viking Lakes in Eagan, October 14-16.
At this Law Enforcement Appreciation Retreat, officers can participate individually or with their spouse in a safe, peaceful setting.
These retreats are free for all first-time guests and include on-site lodging at the Omni Viking Lakes, meals, sessions, and materials.
