C-Notes: August 8, 2025
We are ready to begin the process of creating our legislative agenda for the 2026 Legislative Session. Our members consistently rank the work that MCPA does to represent our membership at the Capitol as one of our most important services.
The process we use to create our legislative agenda includes soliciting proposals from our membership. Those proposals will then be reviewed and discussed by our Legislative Committee. A survey will be created and distributed to the Legislative Committee to help gauge the level of support for each of the proposals that have been submitted.
Ultimately, the MCPA Board of Directors will vote to adopt a final legislative agenda in October. The legislative agenda that is developed by our membership and adopted by our Board of Directors serves as the roadmap for our legislative efforts at the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session.
If you would like to submit a Legislative Proposal for the upcoming session, please complete this form (it's only 3 questions). We also ask that you briefly describe your proposal at one of the upcoming Legislative Committee meetings. Those meetings are virtual and will be scheduled for sometime in mid to late September.
If you would like to serve on the MCPA Legislative Committee, please send me an email and I will add you to the list. It is always best to have members from all over the State representing small, medium, and large agencies. Because the meetings are virtual, you won't have to drive to our office for the meetings. Please consider joining this important Committee!
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Community Partnerships Grant Program
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Partnerships Grant Program, with $100,000 available to support law enforcement agencies across the state.
Departments can apply for individual grants of up to $2,500 to help fund initiatives that strengthen relationships with the communities they serve.
These grants are designed to support programs, events, and outreach efforts that promote trust, transparency, and collaboration between law enforcement and the public. Whether you're looking to launch a new initiative or build on a successful program from last year, this funding can help bring your ideas to life.
Agencies that received funding in 2024 are welcome to apply again in 2025.
The application deadline is Friday, September 12, 2025. To learn more and apply, visit: mnchiefs.org/community-grants. Contact Aimee Schroeder or Jeff Potts with any questions.
Register Now for the Fall Leadership Summit
Join us for the inaugural MCPA Fall Leadership Summit, happening November 18–20, 2025, at Cragun’s Resort. This new event will bring together law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota for practical leadership training, professional development, and meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues facing our profession.
We’re close to finalizing a strong lineup of speakers, including state officials and subject matter experts, who will lead sessions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in Minnesota law enforcement.
Registration is now open, and the full agenda will be shared soon. Reserve your spot and book your hotel early!
Scholarships Available for Fall Leadership Summit
Thanks to the support of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation, scholarships are available to help small agencies with the cost of attending the 2025 Fall Leadership Summit at Cragun’s Resort.
This funding helps ensure that leaders from all departments, regardless of size, can participate in this new professional development opportunity. Agencies interested in applying can submit their scholarship request now.
Visit the Fall Leadership Summit Scholarship tab for more information and to access the application form.
City of Eagan Hiring Police Chief
The City of Eagan, MN is seeking an inclusive, innovative, and responsible leader for the position of Police Chief for this suburban community of 69,000, conveniently located near both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Spanning 34 square miles, Eagan is a thriving, global community that boasts one of the largest working and living populations in the state. The city is home to nearly 3,000 businesses, including the Minnesota Vikings.
New Partnership with LexisNexis
We are happy to share that the MCPA Board of Directors has formed a new partnership with LexisNexis! This partnership will provide all membership agencies with no-cost access to the BuyCrash application.
What Does This Mean for You?
With BuyCrash, you can transition from receiving mailed requests for crash reports to an efficient electronic system. This application offers your agency exclusive access to the LexisNexis Command Center, where you can easily upload copies of your crash reports, saving valuable time. Within the Command Center, LexisNexis will also provide you with a Crash Mapping Tool and Crash Analytics for your agency's accidents.
Additionally, LexisNexis has a database of over 173 million records, allowing you to search crash reports from across the country. They have also teamed up with Experian to offer no-cost access to the AutoCheck system for Vehicle History Reports.
Financial Benefits
LexisNexis will collect any agency fees you may have and reimburse you on a monthly basis. Moreover, as part of our partnership, LexisNexis will contribute $1 from their convenience fee to MCPA.
We are excited to see the positive impact this partnership will bring to MCPA in 2025 and beyond!
Stay Tuned
Keep an eye out for emails from LexisNexis in the coming weeks and months. If you have any questions or would like a short web presentation, please reach out to the Team Manager, Derick Lamoureux, at derick.lamoureux@lexisnexisrisk.com
MN Wild Hero of the Game Nominations
The Axtell Group is proud to team up with the Minnesota Wild to celebrate outstanding law enforcement professionals at 12 home games this season. We’re looking for nominations of officers, deputies, and troopers who have made a difference – whether through recent achievements or a career of dedicated service.
Think about someone from your agency who deserves to be recognized, such as:
- Officer, Deputy, or Trooper of the Year award recipients
- Life-saving award honorees
- Individuals with strong community connections
- Those who work quietly behind the scenes to keep people safe
This is a great way to honor their hard work and let them know how much they’re appreciated.
Each honoree will receive:
- Two tickets to a Minnesota Wild home game (based on availability, with the possibility of 1-2 extra tickets)
- Recognition on the big scoreboard during a break in the first period
- A chance for your agency to share their story on social media
If someone comes to mind, please:
Rapid DNA Webinar
You’re invited to a webinar hosted by GTH DNA and GoRapidDNA, designed specifically for Minnesota law enforcement professionals, exploring how Rapid DNA is transforming the investigative process across the state and beyond.
This session will feature:
- Case studies from agencies successfully using Rapid DNA in the field
- FBI guidance on CODIS access and Rapid DNA standards
-
Strategies for implementing Rapid DNA to accelerate bookings and reduce turnaround times
Webinar Details:
Date: August 27th 10:00AM-11:30AM CST
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM CST
Location: Microsoft Teams Live Event
REGISTER
View this flier for more details.
MN Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention – Community Input Survey
The Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention is developing recommendations to improve Minnesota’s child protection system and prevent maltreatment. The Council is seeking your input to help develop these recommendations, which will be provided in a report to the Minnesota Legislature.
The Council is seeking input from:
- those who are impacted by the child protection system,
- those who work in the system, and
- the broader community around families in the system.
The Council encourages anyone with a perspective on child protection and the prevention of child maltreatment to take this survey. This survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Please respond to this survey by Monday, August 18.
Your response to this survey is voluntary and anonymous. Your response will be combined with others and shared with the Council and the wider public at a summary level. Any written comments you provide on this survey may be quoted, unless they identify you. Comments that directly or indirectly identify you or others are confidential under Minnesota Supreme Court Order ADM24-8001 and will not be shared.
Please contact staff to the Supreme Court Council on Child Protection with any questions: SCCPC@courts.state.mn.us.
Final Round of ICPOET Grant Funding
The Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs (DPS-OJP) is requesting proposals to fund the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education & Training (ICPOET) program. The program is intended to address the critical shortage of peace officers in the state by providing grants to law enforcement agencies that have developed a plan to recruit, educate, and train highly qualified two-and four-year college graduates to become license-eligible Minnesota peace officers.
Approximately $400,000 in state funds are available for 18-month grants. The program period will be January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Local units of government including cities, counties and tribal governments are eligible to apply.
Beginning July 15, the RFP will be open and available to view at the OJP website. All applications must be submitted using the e-grants web-based grants management system by 12:00 pm CST on Tuesday, August 15, 2025. For more information contact Mary Vukelich at Mary.vukelich@state.mn.us.
For questions, please contact Mary Vukelich at mary.vukelich@state.mn.us.
Your Next Drug Interdiction Tool
The Minnesota VCET (Violent Crime Enforcement Teams) Grant Program is now open for 2026–27. This funding supports law enforcement agencies in disrupting drug trafficking and gang activity through targeted enforcement and advanced tools.
One powerful solution to consider for your application: the MX908 handheld mass spectrometer.
The MX908 rapidly identifies trace and bulk quantities of high-risk substances, including:
- Fentanyl and over 2,000 fentanyl analogs
- Methamphetamine
- Counterfeit opioids
- Nitazenes
- MDMA, ketamine, and more
Why it matters:
Drug traffickers are increasingly concealing narcotics in microgram quantities—in low-concentration pills, on currency, packaging, or personal items. The MX908's trace-level sensitivity enables officers to detect these threats before they escalate into larger incidents. Both trace and bulk identification provide critical, admissible evidence that supports prosecution, helping agencies build stronger cases from the field to the courtroom.
VCET Application Deadline: August 8, 2025
Click here for full grant details.
MX908 Resources:
Minnesota Vikings Law Enforcement Offers
The Minnesota Vikings and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) are offering specially priced tickets for two preseason games in August:
- Saturday, Aug. 9 vs. Houston Texans – 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 16 vs. New England Patriots – 12 p.m.
Tickets start at $22.50, with $10 from each ticket supporting NLEOMF. Open to law enforcement, first responders, public safety, family, friends, and the general public.
Order online: Minnesota Vikings Law Enforcement Offers
Promo Code: NLEOMF2025
For questions or group orders (10+), contact Junior Estrada at 612- 391-0043 or estradaf@vikings.nfl.net.
Law Enforcement Night Minnesota Twins August
The Minnesota Twins are teaming up with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) for a special night of gratitude and appreciation as we salute those who serve our communities. The Minnesota Twins proudly present “Law Enforcement Night” at Target Field on Friday, August 15 when the Twins take on the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m.
This special “Law Enforcement Night” ticket package includes your ticket to the game in sections 121 or 322. A special postgame Country concert follows the conclusion of the game, featuring an artist to be announced later!
Ticket packages start as low as $39.75 and are available to all law enforcement personnel, friends, family, and the general public. $5.00 from each ticket will be donated to NLEOMF.
ORDER ONLINE: Minnesota Twins Law Enforcement Night - National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
For groups of 20 or more, please contact Minnesota Twins Liz Pilarski at LizPilarski@twins.com or (612) 659-3852.