C-Notes: March 19, 2025
Executive Director Report
ETI is less than two weeks away! We currently have 387 attendees registered for this year's conference in Rochester, April 7-10, and we're excited about an outstanding lineup of speakers and a full Expo featuring major public safety vendors.
We're aiming to bring in more than 400 attendees, and there's still an opportunity for more members of your agency to join us. Anyone from your agency can attend the Expo at no cost on Tuesday, April 8, or Wednesday, April 9. Since April 8 is the longer day, we recommend attending then for the best experience. Complimentary lunch is also provided on April 8.
For more details and to register, see the information below. If you haven't signed up for the full conference yet, visit the ETI 2025 event page to complete your registration.
We look forward to seeing you in Rochester soon!
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Get Hands-On with the Latest in Law Enforcement Technology
From the newest policing tools to the latest in mobile technology and fleet management, the ETI Expo Hall has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. Even if you're not attending the full conference, you can still visit the Expo Hall for free!
Join 100+ leading vendors showcasing cutting-edge products, live demos, and interactive displays designed to help you lead more effectively and enhance department operations.
✅ Attend the Expo for FREE – No full conference registration required (must pre-register)
✅ Meet top industry experts and vendors one-on-one
✅ See and test new tech before making purchasing decisions
✅ Learn about solutions that can immediately impact your department
📍 Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN
📅 Tuesday, April 8 (11:30 am-6:15 pm) & Wednesday, April 9 (11:15 am-1:00 pm)
See the full list of exhibitors attending and register for your free pass today!
ETI Session Highlight: Build Resilience and Perform Under Pressure
Law enforcement leaders are no strangers to high-pressure situations. Just like fighter pilots, officers must perform at their peak—regardless of personal or professional challenges. In this general session, Colorado's first lady fighter pilot, Tracy "JackieO" LaTourrette, will share proven strategies to build mental toughness and lead with confidence in the face of adversity.
LaTourrette understands the demands of those who run toward danger when others flee. Drawing from her experience in the cockpit and as a public servant, she will offer leadership insights designed to help chiefs and command staff strengthen their resilience and decision-making under stress.
"When we know why we fight, the price we are willing to pay to win becomes crystal clear," says LaTourrette. "Lead like a fighter pilot and win the mental game."
Don't miss this opportunity to arm yourself with high-performance habits that can elevate your leadership and enhance your team's ability to thrive under pressure.
Learn more about this session and view the full schedule online.
There's still time to register for ETI in Rochester, April 7-10.
BCA-FBI-CJIS Cybersecurity Preparation Services
The Minnesota Security Consortium (MNSec) is a non-profit consortium created to help your Agency and City to have a proper Cybersecurity Program and to get through the CJIS audit process. The recently modernized CJIS 6.0 Security Policy requirements are Huge (a policy Beast!) and require a lot of expertise.
MNSec can serve as your LASO or assist your current LASO & IT Department. Our LASO’s are certified Cybersecurity experts and have real Law Enforcement experience. We have been doing CJIS with the BCA for almost 10 years.
Scope of Work for a Small Annual Fee:
- Customize CJIS Policies and Detailed Procedures for the Agency;
- Keep CJIS Documentation updated on a Quarterly/Annual Basis
- Assist Agencies in BCA Information Technology Security Online Audits;
- Assist Agencies in BCA Information Technology Security ONSITE Audits;
- Assist Agencies in FBI Information Technology Security ONSITE Audits;
- Professional Online Collaboration Software;
- We will also help agencies guide their IT Departments in the Remediation Reports that are issued by the BCA/FBI at the end of each audit.
- Peace of Mind for Chiefs!!!
Learn more at www.mnsec.org. You can also call 218-955-3110 or email dhilton@mnsec.org.
This program was created for all of you!
MPCA Board of Director Elections
This meeting is a key opportunity to participate in the governance of our Association and stay informed about our latest initiatives.
If you’re interested in stepping into a leadership role, we are now accepting applications for the following open Board positions:
- Second Vice President
- Third Vice President
- Secretary
- Sergeant-at-Arms
- Director (2 positions available)
To apply, please complete the submission form by March 28.
For details on Board responsibilities and governance, please review the MCPA Bylaws.
We encourage all members to attend and participate in shaping MCPA’s leadership for the year ahead.
Police Chief Opening in Becker, MN
The City of Becker is hiring a full-time Police Chief to lead and manage its Police Department. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, law enforcement experience with supervisory background, and be licensed or eligible for licensure by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board.
Salary range: $116,896 – $151,944, plus excellent benefits. Applicants must pass a background check, psychological exam, and fitness agility test.
Apply by Monday, March 31, at 4:00 p.m. More details and application instructions: City of Becker Job Posting.
Peer Support Training
MCPA, in partnership with the Bloomington and Eagan Police Departments and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation, is offering a state-approved Peer Support Training designed for Chief Law Enforcement Officers (CLEOs) and Command Staff.
Dates: May 5–8, 2025
Location: Black Box Theater, Bloomington Civic Plaza
Cost: $250 per attendee
Lunch and daily snacks are provided.
This 30-hour, POST Board-approved training equips leaders with the skills to support their peers and foster a culture of wellness. Participants will learn practical strategies for stress management, mental health support, and suicide prevention in law enforcement.
Registration is open until April 28, 2025, with limited spots available.
Minnesota Wild Law Enforcement Appreciation Nights
The Minnesota Wild are partnering with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities. Join them at the Xcel Energy Center for two special games featuring a “THANK YOU” ticket offer on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
These nights are open to all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers, sheriffs, security professionals, public safety workers, first responders, and their families, as well as the general public.
Ticket packages range from $38 to $99 and include:
- A donation to both NLEOMF and LEMA.
- An exclusive opportunity to take a photo on the ice.
For groups of 8 or more, contact Minnesota Wild Representative Karen Reisinger at 651-312-3486 or kreisinger@wild.com.
Minnesota Twins First Responders Night
The Minnesota Twins and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) are teaming up for a special night of appreciation for first responders. First Responders Night will take place at Target Field on Friday, April 25, when the Twins face the Los Angeles Angels at 7:10 p.m.
This exclusive ticket package includes:
- Game ticket
- Limited-edition First Responders Twins cap (choose from Police, Fire, or EMS)
- $5 donation to the corresponding organization based on your hat selection:
- National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (Police)
- Minneapolis Fire Foundation (Fire)
- Minnesota Ambulance Association (EMS)
Ticket packages start at just $23 and are open to all law enforcement personnel, first responders, family, friends, and the general public.
For group tickets (20+), contact Liz Pilarski at LizPilarski@twins.com or (612) 659-3852.
Legislative Update - Week of March 10
Overview
March 11th marked the final day for residents of House District 40B to cast their vote for the district’s special election. As anticipated, Democrat David Gottfried won the special election with over 70 percent of the vote. The Minnesota House of Representatives will now be tied 67-67 until the 2026 elections, barring any unforeseen circumstances that would lead to another special election.
The Republicans and Democrats will now enter into a power-sharing agreement whereby the committees will be co-chaired by a Democrat and Republican, the gavel will alternate between co-chairs every other committee meeting. The committee’s makeup will also become evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, meaning that any bill needs bipartisan votes to pass through the committee and to the House floor. Representative-elect Gottfried will be sworn in on Monday.
The Senate did not take up any bills this week on the Senate floor. The House floor on Tuesday didn’t hear any bills and on Wednesday took up bills relating to education, environment, and health that were all laid on the table for further discussion at a later date. On Thursday, House members spent hours debating on the House floor over two bills relating to women’s reproductive health that both failed to pass.
Public Safety Committees
On Monday in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee the hearing’s agenda included a list of legislation within its jurisdiction, most notably, SF692 (Rasmusson) use of force training reimbursement program establishment and appropriation, and HF124 (Duckworth) acceptance of certain gifts permission related to a line of duty death of a public safety officer. Wednesday’s hearing focused on legislation regarding cannabis and crime expungements or resentencing clarifications related to cannabis prior to recreational legalization in 2023.
In the House, the Public Safety Committee heard HF1256 (Novotny) that would extend the $6 million law enforcement training reimbursement funding. The bill received bi-partisan support and was laid on the table to be included in an omnibus bill in the future. On Wednesday, the House committee heard three bills, two in relation to immigration law enforcement involvement and the third focused on protecting children and vulnerable adults from exposure to fentanyl establishing criminal penalties for violating the legislation, should it become law.
Next week in the House Transportation Committee is MCPA’s bill, HF340 (Stier), that would modify the existing statute for it being a crime when fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. This is the second stop for the bill as it moves through the process.
Legislation of Interest
Full report of legislation tracked for MCPA
Training Funding
SF1701 (Duckworth) / HF1256 (Novotny) Certain law enforcement training ($6 million) reimbursement funding extended.
Actions:
March 11, 2025
Heard in Public Safety Finance and Policy. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. (in the House)
February 20, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
Brady Giglio
SF325 (Koran) / HF962 (Novotny) Peace officer exclusion from discipline for inclusion on the Brady-Giglio lists; Brady-Giglio lists examination task force establishment.
Actions:
February 19, 2025
Authors added Wolgamott, Robbins (in the House)
January 21, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
Scheduled hearing on February 26 (in the Senate)
SF599 (Seeberger) / HF1116 (Duran) Brady-Giglio designation for peace officers provided.
Actions:
February 19, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy (in the House)
February 20, 2025
pg. 463. Scheduled hearing on February 26 (in the Senate)
SF1813 (Westlin) Brady-Giglio lists prosecuting agencies guidelines and process provision
Actions:
February 24, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
Scheduled hearing on February 26 (in the Senate)
Buffer Zone
SF2212 (Seeberger) / HF2173 (Engen) Crime to obstruct certain first responders by approaching or remaining too closely after being warned.
Actions:
March 6, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
March 13, 2025
Author added Hudson (in the House)
Fleeing / Tracking
HF1744 (Stier) Expanded use of tracking devices authorized for fleeing motor vehicles.
Actions:
March 3, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy (in the House)
HF1119 (Duran) Crime of fleeing in a motor vehicle and failing to obey traffic laws established.
Actions:
February 19, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy (in the House)
SF191 (Gustafson) / HF340 (Stier) Crime of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle modification
Scheduled Hearing:
Transportation Finance and Policy (House)
Date: March 17, 2025
Time: 1:00pm (CDT)
Actions:
January 16, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
February 24, 2025
Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Transportation Finance and Policy (in the House)
SF323 (Coleman) / HF332 (Engen) Crime of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle modification to add a heightened penalty for fleeing in a culpably negligent manner
Actions:
January 21, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
February 13, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy (in the House)
SF758 (Eichorn) Crime of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle modification to add a heightened penalty for fleeing in a negligent manner
Actions:
January 30, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
SF1224 (Latz) Fleeing from a peace officer crime provisions modifications
Actions:
February 10, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
SF2318 (Lang) Requirement elimination that a vehicle be unoccupied when law enforcement attach a tracking device
Actions:
March 10, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
Use of Force
SF311 (Koran) / HF705 (Davis) Self-defense use of force provisions modifications
Actions:
January 27, 2025
pg. 199 (in the Senate)
February 13, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy (in the House)
SF692 (Rasmusson) / HF541 (Stier) Use of force training reimbursement program establishment and appropriation
Actions:
March 13, 2025
pg. 775 (in the Senate)
March 6, 2025
Passed House floor 132-0 (in the House)
SF1088 (Draheim) Law clarification on use of force in defense of home and person
Actions:
February 6, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
SF1196 (Lieske) Law clarification on use of force in self-defense
Actions:
February 10, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
SF2453 (Limmer) Independent Use of Force Investigations authority to investigate certain offenses that occur on state-owned military installations modifications
Actions:
March 13, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)