C-Notes: February 26, 2026
Executive Director Report
The 2026 Legislative Session is now underway, and as expected, it is shaping up to be both fast-moving and complex. With a compressed timeline, divided government, and all 201 legislators on the ballot this fall, the political dynamics at the Capitol will be significant throughout the session.
As the House remains in session, MCPA will provide weekly legislative updates to keep members informed of activity that may impact law enforcement agencies across Minnesota. These updates are prepared by our partners at Cozen O’Connor and will include summaries of key hearings, bill movement, and committee agendas relevant to MCPA’s legislative priorities.
Staying informed is especially important this year as several proposals directly affecting public safety operations, sentencing policy, data privacy, use-of-force investigations, firearms policy, and state–federal law enforcement coordination are already moving through committees.
You can review this week’s full legislative update here: MCPA Session Update 2.22.26
I encourage members to review the weekly updates and reach out with questions or concerns as legislation develops. MCPA will continue to advocate on behalf of Minnesota’s law enforcement leaders and keep you informed as the session progresses.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Early Bird Pricing for ETI 2026 Ends March 1
Early bird registration for the 2026 Executive Training Institute (ETI) ends March 1! Secure the lowest rate now for Minnesota’s premier executive-level training event.
ETI returns to St. Cloud on April 13–16, 2026, bringing together chiefs and command-level leaders from across Minnesota for four days of high-level training, strategy, and peer connection.
This year’s program includes sessions on leadership lessons from critical incidents, complex homicide investigations, discipline and grievance processes, drones as first responders, elder crypto fraud, state agency updates, lessons learned from the Burnsville tragedy, and conversations around resilience and moral injury.
The ETI Expo Hall will also provide opportunities to connect with industry partners and explore products and services that support effective law enforcement operations.
Additional details will be shared soon. Register before March 1 to take advantage of early bird pricing.
Submit Your Nominations for the Excellence in Innovation Award
The MCPA Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes small and large Minnesota municipal police agencies and their CLEOs for exceptional, innovative achievements that advance the law enforcement profession and benefit the communities they serve.
Submissions are evaluated by the MCPA Board of Directors based on:
- Level of innovation
- Effectiveness
- Ability to replicate
- Overall impact
One small agency and one large agency will be selected and recognized at ETI. Excellence in Innovation Award nominations must be submitted by February 27, 2026.
MCPA Board of Directors Nominations
The MCPA is now accepting candidate submissions for the 2026 Board of Directors. Members interested in serving are encouraged to submit their candidacy through the online form.
The following positions are open:
- 2nd Vice President
- 3rd Vice President
- Treasurer (3-year term)
- Sergeant-at-Arms (1-year term)
- Director (3-year term) – three positions available
The election will be held during ETI on Wednesday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. Voting is limited to Voting Members present at the conference.
The deadline to submit a nomination is March 13, 2026. Additional candidate and election details will be shared after the submission period ends.
Member Input Requested: Survey on House File 3356
There is a bill moving through the Legislature that would require agencies to remove certain equipment and identifying insignia from squad cars and other emergency vehicles when they are taken out of service and sold to the public.
House File 3356 would require the removal of certain equipment and markings from emergency vehicles prior to sale. The Minnesota Legislative Budget Office (LBO) is responsible for determining the financial impact this legislation may have on local units of government, including cities and counties.
To assist with that analysis, the LBO is asking affected agencies to complete a brief survey. Your responses will be used to estimate the fiscal effects of the proposed legislation. Individual responses will remain anonymous in the final local impact note report.
Additional information about the local impact note process is available on the LBO website. Questions may be directed to Joel Enders, Lead Budget Analyst, Minnesota Legislative Budget Office, at joel.enders@lbo.mn.gov or 651-284-6542.
Please take a moment to complete the survey.
Introducing the MCPA Executive Leadership College
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.
Officer Hearing Protection Program - DPS Survey
The Minnesota Legislature has allocated $500,000 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a one-time Officer Hearing Protection Program. DPS will conduct a competitive solicitation to purchase qualifying in-ear hearing protection devices.
To ensure selected devices meet operational needs across Minnesota, DPS is requesting feedback from agencies before finalizing specifications.
Eligible participants under this program include licensed peace officers, firefighters (career, part-time, paid-on-call, and volunteer), and qualified emergency medical service providers employed in Minnesota. State and local public safety agencies will be eligible to apply for devices through a grant process after the competitive bid is complete.
Questions regarding the bid process may be directed to Ashley Scharffbillig at ashley.scharffbillig@state.mn.us. For all other questions, please contact John Cunningham at john.cunningham@state.mn.us, and he will connect you with the appropriate DPS staff managing this project.
Complete the survey by March 2, 2026.
MCPA's NEW Advanced Leadership Academy
Join MCPA on September 9–10, 2026, in New Brighton for the Advanced Leadership Academy, a 1.5-day, POST-approved program designed to strengthen leadership skills for law enforcement supervisors.
Building on foundational supervision principles, the academy focuses on transformational leadership, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and strategic self-assessment.
This program is designed for middle management and first-line supervisors and supports participants in successfully transitioning from street officer to effective leader.
CLEO & Command Academy Update
The MCPA's CLEO & Command Academy brings together chiefs and command-level leaders from across Minnesota who are engaged in advanced leadership development, strategic thinking, and peer collaboration. As the 2026 session reaches its midpoint, the MCPA would like to share a brief update.
Participants have completed coursework focused on executive leadership, organizational culture, critical incident leadership, and contemporary challenges facing law enforcement executives. Instructors and facilitators have noted a high level of engagement, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful application of course content to real-world leadership challenges.
The MCPA appreciates its members' continued support for investing in leadership development for the profession.
For questions about the academy or other Center for Police Leadership training opportunities, please contact Stephanie Revering, MCPA Training & Operations Director.
Thank you for your continued commitment to professional excellence and leadership in Minnesota law enforcement.
SRT Body-Worn Camera Program
The Small, Rural, and Tribal Body-Worn Camera (SRT BWC) Program will reopen for new applications on January 26, 2026.
The SRT BWC program provides funding for body-worn cameras to:
- Law enforcement agencies with 50 or fewer full-time sworn personnel
- Rural agencies located in non-urban or non-metro counties
- Federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies
Funds may be used to purchase or lease body-worn cameras and to cover expenses reasonably related to implementing a comprehensive BWC program. Grants may support pilot programs, new implementation, or expansion of existing programs.
Grant funds may not be used for BWCs purchased prior to January 1, 2026. A one-to-one match is required and may include in-kind contributions.
The program is administered by Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. through a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Register for MCPA's Leadership Academy
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 Brighton
- Sept. 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.
White Bear Lake Seeks Next Police Chief
The City of White Bear Lake is accepting applications for its next Chief of Police. This executive leadership role is responsible for guiding department operations, setting strategic direction, overseeing the budget, and strengthening partnerships with residents, businesses, and regional public safety partners.
The Chief reports directly to the City Manager and serves as a visible leader in the community, working closely with City staff and elected officials to advance public safety priorities.
Learn more:
- Position Description (duties and qualifications)
- Position Profile (community and leadership overview):
Qualified candidates are encouraged to review the full materials and apply through the City of White Bear Lake’s online portal.
Wellness & Resilience Seminar
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Wellness Program is hosting a two-day Wellness and Resilience Seminar in March and is inviting neighboring public safety personnel and their significant others to attend.
The seminar will address topics including navigating family stressors, strengthening resilience, preventing burnout, and enhancing mental and emotional wellbeing.
The training will be facilitated by Randall Combs, an 18-year veteran of the Lexington Police Department and current Lieutenant of the Special Investigations Unit.
Location: Rosemount Community Center
Session Options:
- March 10, 2026 | 12:30–4:30 p.m.
- March 10, 2026 | 5:30–9:30 p.m.
- March 11, 2026 | 12:30–4:30 p.m.
- March 11, 2026 | 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Offers
The Minnesota Wild have partnered with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association to offer specially priced tickets at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026 vs. Utah Mammoth
- Thursday, April 2, 2026 vs. Vancouver Canucks
This special offer is open to all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers, sheriffs, security and public safety personnel, first responders, family members, and the general public.
Multiple specially priced ticket options are available, and $5 from each ticket purchased will be donated to NLEOMF and LEMA.
For groups of eight or more, contact Minnesota Wild representative Karen Reisinger at 651-312-3486 or kreisinger@wild.com.
First Responders Night at Target Field
Join the Minnesota Twins for First Responders Night as the Twins take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at Target Field.
This special ticket package includes your game ticket plus a limited-edition co-themed First Responders Camper Mug. In addition, $5 from each ticket purchased through this exclusive offer will be donated to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association.
For groups of 20 or more, contact Liz Pilarski at LizPilarski@twins.com or 612-659-3852.