C-Notes: October 31, 2025
Executive Director Report
I’m pleased to share that the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) has approved $102,000 in Community Partnership Grants funding to 58 different agencies. This is a record-setting amount of funds allocated toward this grant program by MCPF! The MCPF Board once again chose to increase the total funding to ensure these important community engagement projects receive the support they need.
The Foundation continues to see a strong mix of new ideas and returning programs ranging from youth engagement events to cultural outreach, safety education, and mental health awareness. Programs like these reflect the ongoing commitment of Minnesota’s law enforcement professionals to build and strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.
Below is the list of agencies receiving funding as part of the 2025 Community Partnership Grant cycle:
- Adrian Police Department – Lights & Sirens of Giving
- Apple Valley Police Department – Buns and Badges Hot Dog Stand
- Avon Police Department – All City National Night Out
- Battle Lake Police Department – 2nd Annual National Night Out (2026)
- Belgrade Brooten Police Department – Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (LEAD)
- Belle Plaine Police Department – Hook, Line, and Heroes Youth River Fishing Derby
- Bemidji Police Department – Casting with Cops
- Big Lake Police Department – Big Lake Community BBQ
- Blaine Police Department – Junior Citizens Academy
- Bloomington Police Department – Youth Leadership Academy
- City of Ramsey Police Department – E-Bikes for Bike Patrol
- Clearbrook-Gonvick Police Department – Stickers and Youth-related Items
- Columbia Heights Police Department – Basketball and Volleyball Youth Mentorship Programs
- Corcoran Police Department – Citizen Academy
- Cottage Grove Police Department – Youth Academy
- Detroit Lakes Police Department – Shop with a Cop
- Dilworth Police Department – Dilworth Community Safety Fair
- Eagan Police Department – Detective for a Day
- East Grand Forks Police Department – East Grand Forks Showcase
- Edina Police Department – Circle of Discipline: Edina School District/EPD Collaboration
- Elk River Police Department – Youth Bike/E-Bike/E-Scooter Safety Rodeo, Popsicles Pop-Ups, Badges and Bobbers
- Elko New Market Police Department – Bike and Scooter Rodeo
- Ely Police Department – National Night Out 2026
- Fairfax Police Department – National Night Out and Fall Open House
- Fairmont Police Department – The Bean and Bear Project and Autism Tool Kits
- Farmington Police Department – Movie Night with the Cops
- Floodwood Police Department – National Bike to School Day
- Gaylord Police Department – Fall EMS Open House
- Glencoe Police Department – Glencoe Silver Lake SRO/DARE Program
- Grand Rapids Police Department – Reface Block Party Trailer
- Henderson Police Department – Community Policing and City Ordinance Development Program: Policing at 175 Years of Henderson
- Hokah Police Department – Coffee with a Cop
- Keewatin Police Department – School Snack and Clothing Drive
- Le Sueur Police Department – Good Choices Community Sessions
- Mankato Public Safety – Operation Turkey Drop
- Medina Police Department – Trunk or Treat
- Minnetonka Police Department – Student Multicultural Advisory Committee (SMAC)
- New Prague Police Department – ArcGIS, Community Halloween Event, and Open House
- New Richland Police Department – Community Events Hosted by the Police Department
- Pequot Lakes Police Department – National Night Out and Trick or Treat Halloween Event
- Proctor Police Department – Annual Community Engagements
- Red Wing Police Department – Bike Rodeo
- Richfield Police Department – Cops and Cones!
- Rochester Police Department – Community Engagement Pop-Up Events
- Saint Peter Police Department – Community Thread
- Sartell Police Department – National Night Out
- Savage Police Department – Holiday Heroes
- Spring Lake Park Police Department – Neighborhood Watch
- St. Cloud Police Department – South Side Hoops Basketball
- Starbuck Police Department – Cops and Kids (Shop with a Cop)
- Tyler Police Department – Coffee with the Cops, Christmas from the Cops, National Night Out
- West Concord Police Department – National Night Out 2026
- West Hennepin Public Safety – Cops and Bobbers (Tentative)
- West St. Paul Police Department – Wednesday Activities
- White Bear Lake Police Department – Cops and Bobbers
- Winthrop Police Department – Slide & Slice with Cops at Conklin Hill
- Woodbury Public Safety (Police, Fire & EMS) – Community Police Academy
- Wyoming Police Department – Multicultural Advisory Committee Food Truck Expo
Approval letters and checks will be mailed on October 31.
As the Foundation continues to receive support from generous donors and partners, it remains committed to offering these grant opportunities to agencies throughout Minnesota.
Thank you to everyone who applied, and congratulations to all 2025 grant recipients. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact these projects will make in communities across the state.
Important Safety Notice: AirTags Used to Track Police Vehicles
Last week, DNR Colonel Rodmen Smith informed me that his agency has become aware of Apple AirTags unknowingly being attached to squad cars. This allows anyone with access to the AirTag to track the vehicle’s location. The DNR suspects that AirTags were attached and subsequently removed, as they did not locate any devices.
Please be aware that this could be a tactic used to track our police vehicles. iPhones can be set to detect nearby AirTags, which may help in identifying these devices.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
MCPA Extends Condolences to Farmington P.D.
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association extends its deepest condolences to the Farmington Police Department and the family of Officer Pete Zajac, who passed away earlier this week.
Officer Zajac was a respected 15-year veteran of the department and most recently served as a School Resource Officer within the Farmington school district. His commitment to the safety and well-being of students and residents made a lasting impact on the community.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Officer Zajac’s family during this difficult time: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-officer-zajac-support-his-loved-ones
MCPA Membership Payment Update
MCPA now offers several convenient ways to pay for your membership renewals, event registrations, permits, and other invoices:
-
Check: Select “Invoice” at checkout to receive an invoice you can pay by check. No fees.
-
ACH: No fees.
-
Credit Card: Includes a 3% processing fee to help cover rising transaction costs.
If you encounter any issues, please contact Acacia Huss-Zirzow.
December Leadership Academy
MCPA will host its Leadership Academy December 9-12, 2025 at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. This 3.5-day program is designed for first-line supervisors and middle managers preparing to step into leadership roles. Key topics, including complaint sorting and discipline, performance appraisals, general leadership principles, and media relations musts for every police department.
Registration is open until December 1, 2025.
MCPA Peer Support Training
Strengthen your department’s wellness culture with the MCPA Peer Support Training, designed to help chiefs and command staff build effective, sustainable peer support programs. Participants will learn best practices for selecting, training, and supporting peer team members while fostering trust and resilience within their agencies.
- Dates: February 25–27, 2026
- Schedule: Wednesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- + 6 hours of online training to complete before the in-person sessions.
- Location: New Brighton Department of Public Safety
- Cost: $275 per person
- POST Credit: Approved for 30 CEUs (in-person) and compliant with Minnesota Statute §181.9731 (Public Safety Peer Counseling)
Lunch will be provided Wednesday through Friday, along with daily snacks. Please bring a reusable water bottle; filling stations will be available.
Fall Leadership Summit
There’s still time to register for the MCPA Fall Leadership Summit at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, November 18–20. Chiefs and Command Staff from across Minnesota will gather for two and a half days of professional development, connection, and leadership growth.
The agenda features sessions on AI in investigations, leadership wellness, legislative updates, POST Board updates, and a report on officers injured in the line of duty.
Registration is $280 per person and includes sessions, materials, and group meals. Reserve your room at the special MCPA group rate before October 21. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your peers and strengthen your leadership.
New Expungement Manual Available for Law Enforcement and City Attorneys
Attorney Richard Hodsdon has shared a new Expungement Manual that he and the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) believe will be helpful for law enforcement leaders, city attorneys, and staff.
Hodsdon’s expungement training began as a half-day course and has since grown into a full-day session due to increasing interest. The manual serves as a practical reference for those handling expungement matters.
Because the topic continues to evolve, MSA plans to offer the training quarterly in 2026, with the first session on January 27, 2026. The class will be available in person and online, and CLE credit has been approved in the past for city attorneys.
Discounted Gophers Tickets for First Responders
The University of Minnesota Athletics Department is offering discounted tickets to upcoming First Responder Appreciation Games:
-
Nov. 1: Football vs. Michigan State
-
Nov. 11: Women’s Basketball vs. Marquette
-
Jan. 17: Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan
-
Feb. 28: Men’s Basketball vs. UCLA
The first 50 football purchasers receive VIP Halftime Tunnel access, and all football ticket holders can go on the field after the game. The first 50 men’s hockey purchasers get a VIP Locker Room Tour.
Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Night
