C-Notes: August 10, 2026
Roseville PD Completes First MNLEAP On-Site Assessment
Last week marked an important milestone for MNLEAP as the Roseville Police Department completed the program’s first-ever on-site assessment.
Roseville PD will now be scheduled for a hearing before the MNLEAP Commission, which is the final step in the accreditation process. Congratulations to Chief Erika Scheider and the entire Roseville team for being the first agency to reach this point and for helping us put the MNLEAP process into action.
We now have 32 agencies enrolled in MNLEAP, ranging from departments with just three sworn officers to others with up to 150. Several more agencies are getting closer to their mock and on-site assessments, so I expect we’ll see more agencies moving through these final stages in the months ahead.
For our smaller agencies, I want to continue emphasizing that grant funding is available to cover MNLEAP enrollment costs for departments with 20 or fewer sworn officers. These grants make it possible for eligible agencies to enroll in MNLEAP at no cost.
That funding is limited and will not be available indefinitely. If your agency qualifies and has been considering MNLEAP, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity sooner rather than later. Funding is available on a limited basis, and we could exhaust the available grant dollars as more agencies enroll.
Thank you to Roseville PD and to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone. It’s exciting to see MNLEAP continue to grow and to see the work agencies have put into accreditation begin to pay off.
More Resources to Help with Accreditation
We’re also seeing more tools become available to help agencies work through the accreditation process. LETAC’s Policy 360 and Lexipol have both developed systems that can help automate the process of updating agency policies to meet MNLEAP standards.
These resources can help reduce some of the administrative work involved in accreditation and make the process more manageable for agencies of all sizes.
Interested in MNLEAP?
Whether you’re a smaller agency interested in taking advantage of the available grant funding or a larger department ready to begin the accreditation process, we’d like to hear from you.
Reach out to learn more about MNLEAP, the enrollment process, and what your agency can do to get started.
Thanks, and have a great week.
Chief Jeff Potts (Ret.)
Executive Director
Register now 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 two and a half days of professional development, collaboration, and practical leadership training in a setting designed to encourage meaningful conversation and networking.
This year's program features sessions on leadership resiliency, officer wellness, artificial intelligence, legislative updates, data practices, election security, use of force analysis, and responsible beverage server training. Presenters include Michael Laidler, retired Chief Greg Weber, Steven Brewer of Benchmark Analytics, retired Chief Mike Ranalli, and other respected law enforcement leaders and subject matter experts.
Space is limited, so don't wait to register.
Applications are still open for the 2026 Fall Leadership Summit Small Agency Scholarship Program, and the application deadline has been extended.
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation will award 20 scholarships of $500 each to help Chiefs from agencies with 15 or fewer sworn officers attend the Fall Leadership Summit, September 28–30, at Cragun's Resort.
Visit the Fall Leadership Summit Scholarship tab for eligibility requirements and the online application. Questions may be directed to luke@mnchiefs.org.
NEW DEADLINE: Applications are due Friday, August 21. The Foundation Board will meet on August 26 to make final scholarship selections, and recipients will be notified the following week.
The City of Minneapolis is conducting a national search for its next Chief of Police. The department serves approximately 425,000 residents and has an authorized workforce of 969 employees, including 731 sworn positions.
The City is seeking an accomplished and collaborative law enforcement executive with experience leading organizational change, strengthening accountability and organizational culture, improving operational effectiveness, and building trusted community partnerships.
The position offers an annual salary of $289,941 to $340,938, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
Candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references to apply@publicsectorsearch.com. Initial application review is anticipated to begin August 31, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.
After more than 11 years of service to the Zumbrota community and more than 29 years in Minnesota law enforcement, Chief Patrick Callahan has announced his retirement.
Since being appointed Chief in 2014, Callahan has led numerous advancements within the Zumbrota Police Department, including expanding police services to 24-hour coverage, adding two sergeant positions, modernizing evidence processing and records retention, and strengthening the department's community engagement efforts.
The officers and sergeants of the Zumbrota Police Department expressed their gratitude for Chief Callahan's steadfast leadership and unwavering support of their professional development throughout his tenure.
Chief Callahan's final day of service will be August 20, 2026.
A public farewell will be held on August 22, 2026, at the Zumbrota City Council Chambers, 175 West Avenue, Zumbrota.
The Minnesota Twins are teaming up with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) for two special Law Enforcement Night Offers at Target Field. Join fellow law enforcement professionals, family, friends, and supporters as the Twins recognize and celebrate those who serve our communities.
This year's games include:
- Friday, July 24 at 7:10 p.m. vs. the Athletics
- Tuesday, August 18 at 6:40 p.m. vs. the Atlanta Braves
Ticket packages start as low as $26.75, with multiple seating options available. $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). This special offer is available to law enforcement personnel, corrections professionals, family members, friends, and the general public.
For groups of 20 or more, please contact Liz Pilarski with the Minnesota Twins at LizPilarski@twins.com or (612) 659-3852.
Minnesota Vikings Law Enforcement Offer
The Minnesota Vikings are teaming up with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) for a special law enforcement ticket offer. Join fellow law enforcement professionals, first responders, family, friends, and supporters as the Vikings take on the Baltimore Ravens.
Game details: Saturday, August 22, 2026 vs. the Baltimore Ravens
Ticket packages start as low as $22.50, and $5 from every ticket sold through this special offer will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). This offer is available to law enforcement personnel, first responders, public safety professionals, family, friends, and the general public.
For groups of 10 or more or questions about the offer, please contact Minnesota Vikings Representative Junior Estrada at estradaf@vikings.nfl.net or (612) 391-0043.
Get TicketsMinnesota Wild Hero of the Game Nominations
The Axtell Group is proud to partner with the Minnesota Wild to recognize outstanding law enforcement professionals during home playoff games and to begin building a strong list of candidates for the 2026–2027 season.
Nominations are now being accepted for officers, deputies, and troopers who have made a meaningful impact, whether through recent actions or a career of dedicated service. All nominations will be shared with the Minnesota Wild as they select individuals to be recognized at select games.
During the regular season, there are a limited number of recognition opportunities, typically 12 to 15 games. While every nomination is valued, not all nominees will be selected.
Consider nominating someone from your agency who stands out, such as:
- Officer, Deputy, or Trooper of the Year recipients
- Life-saving award honorees
- Individuals with strong community connections
- Those who consistently make a difference behind the scenes
This program is a meaningful way to recognize their work and show appreciation for their service.
Each selected honoree will receive:
- Two tickets to a Minnesota Wild home game (based on availability, with the possibility of 1–2 additional tickets)
- Recognition on the scoreboard during a first-period break
- An opportunity for your agency to share their story on social media
Law Enforcement Trainings & Events
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.
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.
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.
Registration is now open for the 2027 CLEO & Command Academy, taking place February 1–5, 2027, at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.
Designed for Chief Law Enforcement Officers and command staff, this intensive five-day academy focuses on the leadership, administrative, and strategic responsibilities of leading a modern law enforcement agency. Participants will learn from experienced chiefs, legal professionals, and subject matter experts while gaining practical tools they can immediately apply within their organizations.
Topics include budgeting, human resources, policy development, media relations, data practices, diversity and inclusion, POST requirements, strategic planning, and navigating the unique political and legal challenges of serving as a chief. The academy also features a CLEO panel discussion and networking opportunities with law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota.
Registration is open through January 28, 2027. Additional information, including the agenda and registration details, is available below.
Registration is open for Women in Command: Excelling as Female Leaders, a two-day leadership program designed for current and aspiring female leaders in law enforcement.
Hosted by the Savage Police Department, the training will be held November 16–17, 2026, at the Savage Environmental Learning and Event Center in Savage, Minnesota.
Led by executive-level female instructors, the course explores the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in law enforcement while providing practical strategies to strengthen leadership presence, build credibility, mentor others, and inspire high-performing teams. Topics include effective leadership principles, organizational structure, leading in today's environment, supervising other women, and breaking through the glass ceiling.
Registration is $359 per person, or $329 per person for groups of four or more using discount code WIC30. Registration information is available below. For questions or to register a large group, contact Maddie Arnold at madeline@calibrepress.com.
Registration is open for the Intimate Partner Violence Prosecution Training, hosted by the Stearns County Attorney's Office on September 22–23, 2026, at The Park Event Center in Waite Park.
Designed for prosecutors, support staff, and law enforcement professionals, this two-day training features nationally recognized researcher and presenter Andrew Campbell, whose work focuses on domestic violence, child abuse, offender behavior, victim response, and strategies for breaking cycles of violence.
Additional sessions will cover danger assessments and lethality factors, the connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence, the use of expert witnesses, charging decisions, working with recanting victims, officer wellness, a survivor panel, and judicial perspectives on prosecuting domestic violence cases.
Registration is $300 and includes continental breakfast and lunch both days. The training is limited to 160 participants, and applications are being made for CLE and POST credits.
Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) is offering its annual Critical Incident Training at three locations across Minnesota. The one-day training is designed for public safety professionals who may be involved in or responsible for managing a critical incident, providing practical guidance on what to expect before, during, and after these high-stakes events. Participants will receive six Minnesota POST continuing education credits at no cost.
Training dates include:
- November 5, 2026 – Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office (Mankato)
- November 12, 2026 – Duluth Police Department
- January 13, 2027 – St. Cloud Police Department
Registration priority is given to LELS members, but non-members are welcome to register if space is available.
The FBI’s Office of Law Enforcement Engagement and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division are offering two upcoming virtual training sessions on the National Common Operation Picture (NCOP) – SWATTING Virtual Command Center (VCC).
The one-hour Microsoft Teams training will provide an overview of the VCC, including how law enforcement agencies can enter swatting incidents and access available reporting functions. The NCOP-SWATTING VCC allows agencies across the country to share information about past and ongoing swatting incidents to help develop a national common operating picture.
Upcoming Sessions:
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 1–2 p.m. CT
- Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 1–2 p.m. CT
Registration: Participants must register through the FBI Virtual Academy. Search for Section VCC-0523. Registration closes at 10:59 p.m. CT the day before each training.
Questions about the training can be directed to NCOP-VCC-SWATTING@fbi.gov.