C-Notes: March 20, 2026
Executive Director Report
I want to start by thanking the chiefs who submitted or accepted nominations for the MCPA Board of Directors. We appreciate your willingness to serve and to give your time and talent to MCPA at the board leadership level. Your commitment helps strengthen our Association.
Past President Chief Gottschalk will chair the election, moving position by position, announcing candidates and accepting nominations from the floor. Uncontested positions will be declared elected. For contested races, voting will take place electronically for eligible Voting Members (CLEOs) who are physically in attendance. Ballots will be sent via email, with a QR code available onsite if needed.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to review this year’s nominees ahead of ETI and connect with candidates while you’re there: mnchiefs.org/mcpa-board-nominees.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Legislative Session Update – Week of March 9
As the March 27 policy committee deadline approaches, legislative activity continues to accelerate with committees working to move bills through their final stops.
This past week, significant attention was given to a wide range of public safety and firearm-related legislation, including proposals addressing domestic violence-related firearm restrictions, reporting requirements, and storage compliance. MCPA also engaged on legislation impacting investigative tools, including opposition to restrictions on reverse-location data. Additionally, a bill supported by MCPA that would allow chiefs and sheriffs to access certain expunged records for firearm eligibility determinations advanced to the Senate floor.
Looking ahead, committees are expected to continue hearing legislation tied to MCPA priorities, including automated license plate reader data, extreme risk protection orders, and other public safety provisions.
ETI Opening Night General Session
ETI 2026 will kick off Monday evening with a two-part General Session focused on lessons learned from a large-scale, multi-agency response to targeted political violence. Drawing from the Hortman/Hoffman case, presenters will walk through the coordinated efforts to interrupt an assassination plot and the manhunt that followed.
The session features a panel of leaders directly involved in the response, including representatives from the Brooklyn Park Police Department, Champlin Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Their firsthand perspectives will provide insight into the coordination, challenges, and decisions that shaped the operation.
Don’t miss this powerful start to ETI 2026.
MCPA Day at the Capitol
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA), in partnership with Cozen O’Connor, will host MCPA Day at the Capitol on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
This event brings together law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota during the legislative session to connect with legislators, public safety partners, and state agency officials. It also provides an opportunity for chiefs and command staff to share perspectives on issues impacting public safety in their communities.
Members who are able to attend are encouraged to participate. Sworn law enforcement officers are asked to wear their department uniform.
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
Pathway to Policing Grants 2026-2027
Pathway to Policing Grant 2026-2027
The purpose of this request for proposal (RFP) is to recruit candidates with nontraditional backgrounds into law enforcement careers. Law enforcement agencies may apply for reimbursement grants for compensating and training Pathway to Policing participants who obtain state peace officer licensure.
Note that there is no additional funding available for the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) grant program. Agencies may apply for career transition candidates under the Pathway to Policing grant program.
Grant Period: The grant period is anticipated to be approximately 13 months, beginning on or around June 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027.
Available Funding: A total of up to $720,000 is available for the 13-month grant period. A 1:1 cash match is required.
Eligible Applicants: Local units of government and Tribal governments are eligible to apply, including county sheriff’s offices, police departments, and Tribal public safety agencies.
RFP Information Session: Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Register Here.
Applications must be submitted using IGX - the MN DPS Grants Management System by 4:00 pm on April 2, 2026. See the IGX Grants Management Support Webpage for assistance navigating IGX. Applications cannot be submitted after this time. No paper submissions will be accepted.
See the full Request for Proposals for more details. For more information, contact Kristin Lail at kristin.lail@state.mn.us
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.
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.