C-Notes: April 24, 2026
Executive Director Report
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week in St. Cloud. More than 400 law enforcement command staff and chiefs from across Minnesota attended the 2026 Executive Training Institute (ETI) for four days of learning, connection, and collaboration.
This year's program featured several standout sessions, including Sikh Temple Massacre: Lessons Learned with Lt. Brian Murphy, sharing a powerful firsthand account of the 2012 mass shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Leading Change & Driving Performance with Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown, focused on navigating organizational change and building strong, future-ready teams. Other sessions throughout the week covered targeted violence response, officer wellness, complex investigations, and key policy issues.
More than 100 vendors and law enforcement partners filled the Expo Hall, giving attendees direct access to new technology, tools, and services supporting agencies across Minnesota.
The week also included breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and the MCPA Awards Ceremony recognizing law enforcement officers and personnel who went above and beyond the call of duty this past year.
Thank you to our ETI Committee for all their help planning this year's conference, and to our speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for their support and for helping make ETI a success.
You can view a snapshot of the ETI experience online. If you are looking for a specific photo, contact Luke Cardona at luke@mnchiefs.org.
Thank you,
Chief Jeff Potts (Ret.)
Executive Director
Legislative Session Update
With key committee deadlines now passed, most finance and policy bills have advanced and are moving to floor consideration. The House Public Safety Omnibus Finance Bill includes several MCPA-supported provisions, including increased funding for the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund and stronger penalties for impersonating a peace officer.
Additional legislation continues to move forward on issues including Brady-Giglio processes, firearm penalties, ERPO updates, and public safety communications. Focus now shifts to floor action and reconciling House and Senate versions as the session progresses.
2026 Fall Leadership Summit
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.
Chief Tanya Schwartz Retirement
Chief Tanya Schwartz Retirement
The City of Burnsville invites you to help celebrate Chief Tanya Schwartz as she retires after 31 years of service and leadership in law enforcement.
Photos and video messages are being collected for a retirement tribute. If you would like to participate, please submit your message by May 13.
Police Chief opening – City of Janesville
The City of Janesville is seeking a Police Chief to lead its department and oversee all operations, including personnel, budgeting, policy development, and community policing efforts. The department includes a chief, sergeant, full-time officers, and part-time staff, serving a community of approximately 2,500 residents.
This full-time leadership role reports to the City Administrator and plays a key role in shaping public safety services, maintaining compliance with state and federal standards, and building strong community relationships. The position offers a starting salary range of $97,989–$108,638 plus benefits, with an anticipated start date of August 2026.
Police Chief opening – Centennial Lakes Police Department
The Centennial Lakes Police Department is seeking a Police Chief to lead this joint-jurisdictional agency serving the cities of Centerville, Circle Pines, and Lexington in Anoka County. The department serves just over 12,000 residents across five square miles and operates with a 2026 budget of $3.38 million, responding to more than 9,200 calls for service annually.
This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing, well-trained department with strong community support in a low-crime area that offers small-town character with convenient access to the Twin Cities metro. The next chief will guide a relatively young workforce and continue building on a culture grounded in professionalism and service. Salary range is $140,000–$165,000 DOQ, with first review of applications on May 17, 2026.
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.
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.