C-Notes: October 3, 2024

Executive Director Report

The Legislative Committee has met three times over the past several weeks. Below is a list of all of the new Proposals that were submitted and discussed by the Committee:

• Chief Brian Sturgeon, West St. Paul PD – Local Control for EMS
  
  
• Chief Jason Posel, Woodbury PD – 1) Buffer Zone Protection 2) Student Loan Debt Relief 3) False claims of swallowing drugs  4) Law Enforcement exemption from paying state income taxes
  
  
• Chief Eric Werner, Maple Grove – Brady/Giglio Legislation
  
  
• Chief Matt Gottschalk, Corcoran - legislation to prohibit prosecutors' offices and law enforcement agencies from declaring something legal in their jurisdiction that state or local laws state is illegal.
  
  
• Chief Brian Podany/Capt. Carlson, Blaine PD – Penalties for Fleeing in Motor Vehicle
  
  
• Chief Todd Milburn, Use of GPS tracking devices on fleeing vehicles (carried over from 2024) 
     
• Bloomington PD Chief Booker Hodges – Race Data on DL and POST Board Appointments
  
  
• Deerwood PD Chief Taylor, Cuyuna Police Chief Jesse Smith, and Crosby Police Chief Michael VanHorn – Abusive Data Request Restrictions
  
  
• Duluth PD Chief Ceynowa, Increase the number of unmarked vehicles allowed in a PD fleet (to accommodate unmarked vehicles used for mental health transports).

The Legislative Committee members participated in a survey to determine the levels of support for the proposals that were submitted. 

View the results of the survey

Our standard rule for including a proposal on the MCPA Legislative agenda is that survey results show support from at least 2/3 (66%) of the legislative Committee members. We set this up several years ago to help ensure that we are advocating on legislative initiatives/proposals that we are confident that a strong majority of our Association supports. It also contributes to the MCPA's strength and integrity when addressing our most important needs at the legislature. 

The Committee also reviewed MCPA's 2024 Legislative agenda. There are still several items on that Agenda that were not completed. Those items will remain on our Agenda for the upcoming year. You can view the 2024 Legislative Agenda on our website.

The next step in the process of developing MCPA's 2025 Legislative Agenda will be for the Board of Directors to review, discuss, and adopt the final version of the Association's legislative Agenda. This will be a topic at the October Board Meeting. 

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the legislative committee process. This is very important work for our Association, and we always appreciate the thoughtful and vital input from members as we develop our Agenda.  I will provide another update after the October Board Meeting.

Thank you,

Jeff Potts
Executive Director

Register for the Critical Issues Series

There's still time to register for the 2024 Critical Issues Webinar Series! The dates are October 9, 16, and 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This year's series will be virtual, so everyone can attend without having to travel. The presentations will be recorded so you can share them with your department. 

This year's topics include:

1. The Ideal Wellness Program for First Responders. There are three common elements that can drive the best outcomes for first responder wellness. This talk describes these three components and highlights how they work together.
   
   
2. Media Propaganda/Crisis Communications Plan. This presentation will prepare you and your agency for crisis. The importance of developing a communications plan is critical to your agency.
   
   
3. Legislative Leader Panel. We will hear from the leaders of the House and Senate on issues they see as their priorities for the upcoming session as well as a focus on public safety-related legislation.
   
   
4. ERPO Firearms confiscations. What every agency should know about the new ERPO law and how to handle firearm confiscations.
   
   
5. Self-Defense Supreme Court Decision. This Supreme Court decision is huge. You will want to hear how it will reshape self-defense claims and provide important advice on investigations by your agency.
   
   
6. Bias and De-Escalation. Dr. Shawn Moore will provide the most tips and trends on Bias and De-escalation training. This is a POST-required training for all Police officers, and Dr. Moore is one of the top trainers in the nation. 
   

Learn more and register at www.mnchiefs.org/events/critical-issues-2024.

Apply for a Community Grant

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) is now accepting applications for its 2024 Community Partnerships Grant Program.

This funding opportunity is designed to help agencies strengthen trust and build deeper partnerships with their communities. Community Partnerships Grants aim to support, supplement, initiate, and accelerate police departments’ efforts to engage with the community in meaningful ways. All events, projects, programs, and initiatives submitted for consideration must focus on building relationships, trust, transparency, cooperation, or partnerships with the communities they serve.

For more information about grant eligibility and criteria, view the application information packet and apply online by November 4, 2024. All MCPA member agencies are encouraged to apply. If you have questions, please contact Acacia Huss-Zirzow or Jeff Potts.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Help the Minnesota Wild Honor Outstanding Law Enforcement Professionals

The Axtell Group is collaborating with the Minnesota Wild to honor outstanding law enforcement professionals at 20 of their home games this season. We are still seeking nominations for sworn police who have made notable contributions recently or in the past, including:

• Officer, deputy, or trooper of the year award winners
• Life-saving award recipients
• Individuals with strong community connections
• Those who work quietly behind the scenes to ensure community safety

This is a wonderful chance to recognize someone from your organization for their exceptional work.

The Minnesota Wild will honor these individuals with:

• Two tickets to an upcoming home game (based on availability, possibly one or two more)
• Recognition on the big scoreboard during a break in the first-period action
• An opportunity for your agency to highlight the honor on social media

If you have someone in mind, please email stormewdunn@theaxtellgroup.com  with their name, rank, contact information, and a brief summary of their contributions.

Child Exploitation Forum

Bomb Threats and Swatting Hoaxes Trainings

Due to continued demand, FBI Boston and Massachusetts State Police will host four virtual training sessions on Responding to and Investigating Bomb Threats and Swatting Hoaxes for public safety dispatchers, law enforcement personnel, school administrators and decision makers. The sessions will take place on Wednesday, October 9 via Microsoft Teams. Sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. (EST).

This one-hour training provides attendees an overview of the realities of bomb threats and swatting hoaxes and includes a detailed review of statistics and current trends seen across the country. The training will also cover the characteristics of hoax calls, law enforcement best practices for assessment and response, and the decision-making process for evacuation or sheltering in place.

REGISTER BY OCT. 9

JAG Funding Planning Survey

The Minnesota Office of Justice Programs manages the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for criminal justice funding. We're updating our five-year JAG funding strategy and need your input to create a solid plan. We’re reaching out to criminal justice professionals including courts, law enforcement, corrections, probation, and service providers.

We want your help to set spending priorities and identify system needs in these areas:

• Law enforcement
• Prosecution and courts
• Prevention and education
• Corrections and community corrections
• Drug treatment and enforcement
• Mental health programs and crisis intervention
• Crisis intervention programs like mental health courts and drug courts

Please take a moment to complete our short survey and share it with your colleagues. Your answers will be confidential and anonymous.

For technical issues, contact Amanda Blasko at ablasko@ncja.org. For program questions, reach out to Claire Cambridge at claire.cambridge@state.mn.us.

Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

Ticket packages range from $36 to $48 to $126, and $5 from each ticket will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Each ticket package also includes a Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement T-Shirt.

LEARN MORE

MCPA Member Portal and Website Resources

Resources for creating and managing your new account can be found at mnchiefs.org/news/novi-ams-member-resources. If you have any questions, please contact info@mnchiefs.org at any time.

We are confident MCPA's upgraded website and portal will be a valuable resource for our members and web visitors.