C-Notes: May 12, 2025
Executive Director Report
Last week, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation held its annual fundraiser. The event took place at the St. Paul Town and Country Club. We had over 200 attendees, and we raised approximately $240,000. We are very excited about the growth and success of the Foundation over the past few years. These are the funds that we will use for Community Partnership Grants, ETI Scholarships, and partnering with other Law Enforcement Organizations to fund student Scholarship programs for individuals who want to make Law Enforcement a career.
I want to thank our staff and Board of Directors for all the work to make this event happen. I also want to thank Savage PD Chief Brady Juell and Le Sueur PD Chief Pilar Stier for sharing their stories at the event. Chief Juell spoke about the importance of the Community Partnership Grant Program that the Savage Police Department participated in and how it impacts children and families in his community. Savage PD was one of 36 agencies that received a grant in 2024. The Foundation funded over $81,000 in Community Partnership grants in 2024. Chief Pilar Stier spoke about the value of attending ETI on a scholarship from the Foundation. She was one of 24 Chiefs who attended ETI in Rochester last month after receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Foundation to cover the costs of attending the conference.
Watch for additional information on the Community Partnership Grant program later this summer.
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Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Fall Conference Interest Survey Coming Soon
MCPA is exploring the idea of holding a fall conference and would like your input. A short survey will be sent to your email via SurveyMonkey to help us gauge member interest. We’d appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete it when it arrives.
Legislative Update
This report covers last week and up until this weekend when the conference committee met.
Weapon Lights Available for Law Enforcement Agencies
The State of Minnesota’s Surplus Services division currently has approximately 200 TLR-1 HL Streamlight weapon lights available for purchase at $25 each (two model types available). These are being offered to law enforcement agencies before being listed for public auction at https://mnbid.mn.gov/.
Departments interested in purchasing or learning more can contact Surplus Services at 651-639-4022 or visit in person at 5420 Rice Creek Parkway, Arden Hills, MN. Supplies are limited.
Minnesota Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention
The Minnesota Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention was established in August 2024 and tasked with developing a comprehensive blueprint and recommendations to improve Minnesota’s child protection system and to prevent unnecessary entry of children and families into the system. Final recommendations are due by January 2026. The Council includes members from across the child protection system, including youth and parents with lived experience.
The Council is currently convening community focus groups and conducting surveys about how to improve the child protection system. One of these focus groups will be with law enforcement involved in child protection removals or otherwise involved in the child protection system. The Council wants to learn about the challenges law enforcement experience with the child protection system, and about how attendees would change the child protection system to ensure that children are safe.
This focus group will be held on Monday, May 19, from 12:30 to 2:30pm. Learn more and register here: https://questionpro.com/t/AOd1KZ58rc. Please register by end of business on Thursday, May 15.
If you are unable to participate in the focus group, there will be a survey later in the year that the Council will encourage you to take.
Nominate an Outstanding Juvenile Officer
The Minnesota Juvenile Officers Association (MNJOA) is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Outstanding Juvenile Officer of the Year award. This annual honor recognizes a sworn police officer in Minnesota who has demonstrated excellence in youth engagement by serving as a positive role model, building meaningful relationships with young people, and fostering strong partnerships between schools, communities, and law enforcement.
To nominate an officer, submit a written statement outlining why the nominee deserves this recognition. Letters of recommendation are encouraged. For questions, contact MNJOA Secretary Jenny Boswell at [email protected]. Nominations are due by May 15, 2025.