C-Notes: October 23, 2026
Executive Director Report
The MCPA Board of Directors is actively exploring new ways to connect with our members and the public and share conversations about the issues that matter to Minnesota's law enforcement community.
We are preparing to launch a new podcast that will feature discussions with law enforcement leaders, subject matter experts, and others who can offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing our profession. Our goal is to create another resource that informs, educates, and connects our members and the communities we serve.
Before we launch, we need a name, and we're asking our members to help us come up with one.
We're holding a podcast naming contest for MCPA members. The member who submits the winning name will receive a complimentary registration to the 2027 Executive Training Institute (ETI), valued at $585.
I encourage members to submit their ideas by November 17, 2026 using this form. The winning name will be selected by a vote of MCPA's Board of Directors.
Have a great weekend.
Chief Jeff Potts (Ret.)
MCPA Executive Director
Register 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.
The MCPA Board of Directors recently approved the association's 2027 Legislative Agenda, outlining key priorities for the upcoming Minnesota Legislative Session.
Developed with input from MCPA members and the Legislative Committee, the agenda addresses several issues facing Minnesota law enforcement agencies, including training funding, officer recruitment and retention, public safety technology, data practices, and criminal justice policy.
MCPA's Legislative Committee and lobbying team at Cozen O'Connor will work with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance these priorities during the 2027 session.
Members are encouraged to review the agenda and stay engaged throughout the legislative session.
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.
IACP has released the hotel reservation link for next year's conference. Please book your room as soon as possible, as they have allotted only 165 rooms across five states (WI, MI, MN, SD, and AZ).
Hotel Reservation Link: https://compass.onpeak.com/e/42ICP2027HIR/in/rsvp/giTgZDCDSpxWn
The three hotel options are:
Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City
- Complimentary breakfast included
- Located across the street from Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia's famous indoor public market and a previous Chiefs Night venue
- Adjacent to numerous bars and restaurants that often host exhibitor events
- Approximately 2 blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Complimentary breakfast included
- Located next door to the Pennsylvania Convention Center
- Approximately 1 block away
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown
- Approximately 4 blocks from the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Please also note an OnPeak policy change for 2027: rooms canceled after June 15, 2027, will incur a $200 charge.
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.
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.