C-Notes: December 12, 2025
Executive Director Report
Nominations are now open for the MCPA Statewide Awards, which recognize exceptional service, bravery, innovation, and sacrifice in law enforcement across Minnesota. Awards will be presented during the ETI Awards Banquet on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in St. Cloud.
The Statewide Awards recognize the extraordinary work being done and sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers in the following categories:
- Medal of Honor Award
Honors a single act demonstrating extraordinary bravery, heroism, self-sacrifice, and risk to life. The recipient receives a plaque, medal, and commendation bar at the banquet. Please note that nominees for this award may be used to select the Police Officer of the Year Award.
- Distinguished Service Award
Recognizes sworn or non-sworn personnel for exceptional achievement in areas such as crime prevention, community engagement, training, traffic safety, mentoring, and public safety innovation. - Meritorious Service Award
Presented for a series of outstanding acts or achievements over an extended period of time (greater than one year). - Lifesaving Award
Honors officers who performed a single, extraordinary lifesaving act in the course of duty that likely prevented a death. - Citizen’s Valor Award
Recognizes private citizens who voluntarily aided law enforcement or others in life-threatening circumstances, without a personal stake in the outcome. - Police Cross
Awarded in honor of a law enforcement professional who gave their life in service to the community, state, and country.
Additional details on each award category are available at mnchiefs.org/statewide-awards.
Nominations must be submitted by January 30, 2026, to be considered. Award decisions will be finalized by the end of February, with nominators notified thereafter. Nominations can be submitted online now.
Thank you all for your continued support of MCPA and your local communities. I hope you have a restful weekend.
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
MCPF Fall/Winter Newsletter
The latest Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) Fall/Winter newsletter is out! It includes updates on the Foundation’s work across the state, highlights from the Community Partnerships Grant Program, and details on the $100,000 awarded to departments this year to support relationship-building efforts. You’ll also find stories like the Richfield Police Department’s Pizza with Police event, which brought officers and community members together, along with information about the upcoming 2026 Benefit Luncheon, the Foundation’s primary fundraiser that supports these programs.
Kare 11: What is the role of local police at ICE raids?
Earlier this week, KARE 11 spoke with MCPA Executive Director Jeff Potts about the role of local law enforcement during ICE operations.
Jeff noted that local law enforcement has a role to play in the immigration protests. It is to keep the peace. He further noted that local law enforcement cannot stop federal officials from doing their work.
MCPA Peer Support Program
MCPA is developing a new Peer Support Program designed specifically for Chiefs and Command Staff. While peer support is essential to overall wellness, many agency programs do not include CLEOs or Command Staff in their internal structures. MCPA is committed to filling that gap by offering a dedicated, confidential, and well-supported resource for Minnesota’s law enforcement leaders.
We encourage Chiefs and Command Staff to consider joining this team and completing the upcoming peer support training.
- Dates: February 25–27, 2026
- Schedule: Wednesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., plus 6 hours of required online coursework prior to 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. Attendees are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle; filling stations will be available on site.
Visit the Peer Support event page for more information.
ETI 2026
Registration is now open for the 2026 Executive Training Institute & Law Enforcement Expo. Join more than 400 Minnesota law enforcement leaders April 13–16 at the Rivers Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.
Why attend?
- Expert-led sessions on leadership, crisis management, community policing, and emerging trends in public safety
- An Expo hall featuring top vendors, products, and services for law enforcement agencies
- Networking with peers and command-level professionals from across Minnesota
- Practical insights and takeaways you can bring back to your department and apply immediately
Whether you’re looking to advance your leadership skills, improve department operations, or stay ahead of emerging trends, the 2026 ETI is your must-attend event to help shape the future of policing in Minnesota.
ETI Small & Rural Agency Scholarship
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) is offering 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to help small and rural agencies send their chiefs or designees to ETI 2026. The Foundation approved this funding at its December board meeting, and applications are now being accepted.
Eligible agencies are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of this support. Full details and links to the ETI event page, scholarship information, and the application form are available below.
We want to thank the MCPF Board and all of the generous corporate and individual donors for their hard work and commitment to supporting our members’ training, development, and access to programming.
Scholarship applications are due January 9, 2026.
LEMA Honor Guard
The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) Honor Guard is searching for new honor guard members. The organization is looking for motivated, ambitious, and selfless individuals who have a strong desire to honor Minnesota’s men and women who die in the line of duty.
The Honor Guard is comprised of police officers from across the state. Members perform at full honors funerals, police memorial events, and other events as called upon. Honor Guard members train monthly and for one week each September at Camp Ripley. While this is a large commitment, it is arguably one of the most rewarding assignments one can have.
Interested applicants should visit www.mnlema.org for more information about LEMA and to complete an application. The online applications can be found under the Honor Guard tab on the home page. We will be taking applications through December 31, 2025.
Questions related to the honor guard, the application process, and the requirements should be directed to MN LEMA Honor Guard Commander Dave Holmquist at david.holmquist@state.mn.us or cell phone 320-894-8579.
City of Shakopee Hiring Police Chief
The City of Shakopee is seeking its next Police Chief, a forward-thinking and community-focused leader to guide the department and advise city leadership on public safety. This is an excellent opportunity to serve a growing, diverse community with a strong commitment to professional policing.
Candidates must hold a valid Minnesota POST license, possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and have at least five years of supervisory law enforcement experience, including at least one year at the division-commander level (Lieutenant or above). The salary range is $79.62 to $97.47 per hour.
More details and application instructions are available at https://tinyurl.com/mtcktjd7.
City of Fairmont Hiring Police Chief
The City of Fairmont is hiring its next Police Chief. The position oversees the Police Department’s leadership, strategic direction, and daily operations, and reports to the City Administrator. The role is open due to the current Chief’s retirement.
Fairmont PD includes 18 full-time officers, two full-time records technicians, part-time officers, and a part-time CSO-Cadet. Candidates must meet Minnesota POST licensing requirements, hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and have at least 10 years of law enforcement experience with five years in a supervisory role. The hiring range is $115,585.60 to $127,982.40 DOQ, with a full range up to $146,328.00.
More details and application instructions are available at https://fairmont.org/jobs-2.
Membership Renewal Notices Sent
MCPA sent membership renewal notices to all members on December 2. As you plan for the new year, please take a moment to review your invoice and submit your renewal. Dues can be paid by check, ACH, or credit card, and agencies that need to process payment after January 1 are welcome to do so. Please note that all dues should be received by January 31, 2026.
Your continued membership supports the work of the Association, including professional development programs, legislative advocacy, region outreach, and ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and training opportunities for Minnesota law enforcement.
If you have questions about your renewal or need help accessing your invoice, please contact info@mnchiefs.org.
Accessing the ViCAP National Crime Database
The FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is a nationwide system that helps law enforcement agencies analyze and link violent crime cases, including homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons with suspected foul play, and unidentified human remains. ViCAP allows agencies to securely enter, compare, and review case information at the local, state, and national level.
Agencies must have active access to the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP) in order to use ViCAP. Each user must obtain a LEEP ID, and every agency needs a designated ViCAP LEA Manager (LEAM) to serve as the point of contact with the FBI.
A step-by-step guide on how to gain access is available in the PDF linked here.
Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Night
Discounted Gophers Tickets for First Responders
The University of Minnesota Athletics Department is offering discounted tickets to upcoming First Responder Appreciation Games:
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Nov. 1: Football vs. Michigan State -
Nov. 11: Women’s Basketball vs. Marquette -
Jan. 17: Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan
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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.