C-Notes: March 11, 2026
Executive Director Report
On Thursday, April 23, the MCPA, along with our partners from Cozen O'Connor, will host MCPA Day at the Capitol 2026. This event will bring together law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota during the legislative session to connect with legislators, public safety partners, and state agency officials.
MCPA Day at the Capitol provides chiefs and command staff an opportunity to share their perspectives on issues impacting public safety in their communities. Hearing directly from law enforcement leaders helps ensure policymakers understand the challenges facing agencies across the state.
I encourage members who are able to attend to take part in this opportunity to connect with legislators and advocate for public safety priorities. Sworn law enforcement officers attending are requested to wear their department uniform.
Full details can be found online at mnchiefs.org/mcpa-day-at-the-capitol-2026.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
The Legislature has reached the midpoint between the start of the 2026 session and the joint committee deadline for policy legislation on March 27. Over the next several weeks, lawmakers and stakeholders will be working quickly to move policy bills through committee before the deadline.
This week, committees heard several bills of interest to law enforcement, including legislation addressing due process for Brady-Giglio designations and a bill allowing chiefs and sheriffs to access certain expunged records when determining firearm eligibility. MCPA also continues to engage on legislation impacting investigative tools used by law enforcement.
ETI 2026 Schedule Released
The 2026 Executive Training Institute (ETI) takes place April 13–16 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Chiefs and command staff from across Minnesota will gather for four days of leadership training, professional development, and peer networking.
The full conference schedule is now available online, giving attendees a preview of general sessions, breakout presentations, and special events throughout the week. This year’s program includes sessions on critical incident leadership, discipline and grievance management, homicide investigations, emerging technology in policing, financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations, and lessons learned from major incidents.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the ETI Expo Hall, where vendors will showcase products, services, and technology designed for law enforcement agencies.
Early bird registration pricing ends this Friday, March 13. Review the schedule and register soon to take advantage of the discounted rate.
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.
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.
Retirement Celebration for Chief Peterson
Police Chief Opening - White Bear Lake
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.
Orono Seeks Next Police Chief
The City of Orono is accepting applications for its next Chief of Police. This executive leadership role provides vision and direction for the Police Department, overseeing department operations, personnel, and budget while advancing community policing and public safety initiatives.
The Chief reports directly to the City Administrator and leads a department serving the communities of Orono, Mound, Minnetonka Beach, and Spring Park. The position oversees patrol, investigations, emergency preparedness, and community engagement while maintaining strong partnerships with residents, local governments, and regional public safety partners.
Learn more:
- Position Overview
- Position Description
Qualified candidates are encouraged to review the full materials and apply through the City of Orono’s online portal.
MNLEAP Program Update
MNLEAP Program Update
Since opening enrollment in January 2025, 31 agencies across Minnesota have joined the program, representing communities from Duluth to La Crescent. Several participating agencies are currently progressing through the accreditation process, with the first expected to achieve accredited status at the 2026 MCPA Fall Conference.
To support the program’s continued growth, MCPA hosted its first Assessor Training session at the 2025 Fall Conference, where 17 volunteers completed training and received their Assessor Training Certificates.
MNLEAP also received a grant in October 2025 that expanded support for participating agencies. In addition to serving as Program Director, Andrew LeFevour now provides Policy Consultation services, assisting agencies with policy development and standards implementation.
As MNLEAP continues to grow, we welcome additional agencies interested in pursuing accreditation. For more information, please review the resources below or contact Accreditation Specialist Josh Potts at josh@mnchiefs.org.
Policies360 delivers Minnesota-specific, accreditation-ready policies aligned with MNLEAP standards. Built on Minnesota law and practice—not generic nationwide “best practices”—these policies are relevant, defensible, concise, and written in plain English. They are intentionally designed to avoid overly prescriptive language that can limit professional discretion.
The Policies360 mobile app places every policy directly in the hands of officers, providing real-time access that supports confident, consistent decision-making in the field. All policies are attorney-researched, vetted by experienced Minnesota law enforcement professionals, and supported by direct access to a dedicated LETAC attorney and staff.
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.
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.
MCPA Trainings
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.
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.
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.
Registration is now open for the 2026 MCPA Fall Leadership Summit, taking place September 28–30 at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd.
The Summit brings together Minnesota’s law enforcement leaders for a focused leadership retreat featuring professional development, peer collaboration, and discussions on the key challenges facing policing today. Designed to complement larger events like ETI, the Summit offers a more intimate setting for meaningful conversations and strategic leadership development.
Over the course of the two-and-a-half-day program, chiefs and command staff will participate in expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative discussions aimed at strengthening leadership and advancing public safety across the state.
Additional details, including the full agenda and registration information, are available on the event page.