Membership

Becoming a Member 

Your membership contributes to the collective strength and influence of Minnesota’s law enforcement community. Memberships are one year long, beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31. Please be advised that membership is contingent upon meeting the specified requirements and may not be approved if qualifications are not met. 

Below is information about our memberships, including the application links for each membership type.

Benefits include:

  • Professional Development & Training Opportunities: As a MCPA member, you’ll have access to training programs, workshops, and resources that enhance your skills and keep you up-to-date with the latest developments in law enforcement.

  • Reduced training rates for Leadership and CLEO & Command Academies, as well as the Executive Training Institute (ETI) and Expo, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association’s premier annual professional development event. This conference gathers law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota for top-tier training and networking, featuring renowned speakers and experts in the field.

  • Information Sharing: Ensuring clear and timely communication to members, the media, and the public through various channels. This includes C-notes, our weekly newsletter, which provides important updates on events, training, legislative developments, grant and scholarship opportunities, and other key information.

  • Networking: Connect with fellow police chiefs and other law enforcement professionals.

  • Peer Support: Members gain access to Tradewing, MCPA’s online member community. This platform facilitates networking, peer support, collaboration, and resource sharing.

  • Legislative Advocacy: The MCPA actively advocates for law enforcement at the state level, each year crafting a comprehensive legislative agenda with input from police chiefs, law enforcement leaders, and various stakeholder groups.

  • Access to Legal Assistance Program (LAP):  MCPA members are eligible to join the LAP for an additional fee of $150 per year. The LAP provides free legal services valued up to $2,500 for non-criminal employment-related issues.

  • MCPF Grants and Scholarships: The MCPA partners with the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation to offer grants and scholarships to our members.  

  • Member Resources & Directory

  • Association voting privileges and opportunities to serve on the Board of Directors (Voting Members Only) and Committees.

Membership Types

Voting memberships are available to the chief law enforcement officers (CLEOs) of state or local law enforcement agencies in the State of Minnesota authorized by law to employ peace officers, excluding county sheriffs. The CLEO shall be the highest-ranking officer in the agency holding an active POST license under the rules of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board). Dues are paid annually based on the number of licensed officers.  

Voting Dues are based on agency size - see below for 2024 rates.
 
1-5 $268
6-15 $376
16-50 $477
51+ $525
 

Associate membership are available to sheriffs and command staff in police agencies. Specifically: federal, state or local law enforcement official whose office is in the State of Minnesota, or a contiguous state or province, and who is in charge of, the second-in-command of, or holds the rank of captain or higher of the law enforcement agency, including county sheriff's departments, and who does not qualify to be a voting member. Also included are any appointed official who directly supervises those persons outlined above and/or Voting members, yet who does not qualify to be a voting member.

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Supporting memberships are available to organizations whose business, profession or interest brings them in close relationship with the Voting or Associate membership of the Association, and who support the mission and purpose of the Association.

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Retired memberships are for individuals who were Voting members in good standing at the time of their retirement from public service.

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