C-Notes: March 28, 2025
Executive Director Report
The 2025 MCPA Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Elections will take place virtually on Thursday, April 17, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. via Zoom. This meeting is a key opportunity to participate in the governance of our Association and stay informed about our latest initiatives.
DETAILS:
Thursday, April 17
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81570530861
Meeting ID: 815 7053 0861
The deadline to submit nominations for open Board positions has been extended to Friday, April 4. If you are interested in running or would like to nominate a colleague, please complete the nomination form at the link below:
Open positions include Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, and two Director roles.
More information about this year’s nominees will be shared in next week’s C-Notes. To learn more about the responsibilities of each role, please review the MCPA Bylaws.
We encourage all members to attend and take an active role in shaping the future leadership of our Association.
Have a great weekend.
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
ETI 2025 Kicks Off in Under Two Weeks
We're less than two weeks away from MCPA's 2025 Executive Training Institute (ETI) and Law Enforcement Expo!
Join us April 7-10, 2025, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester for Minnesota's premier law enforcement leadership conference. This year's ETI offers an excellent speaker lineup, timely leadership training, and valuable networking opportunities.
Why Attend ETI 2025?
- Four days of premier professional development and leadership training
- Hear from renowned speakers and keynotes on critical law enforcement topics
- Access to 100+ law enforcement exhibitors at our Expo
- Opportunities to network and connect with peers and public safety leaders from across the state
If you haven't registered yet, now's the time. Hotel rooms in Rochester are filling fast, and the countdown is on!
Police Chief Opening in Webster City, Iowa
The City of Webster City, Iowa (pop. 7,717) is accepting applications for its next Chief of Police. Located in central Iowa, Webster City is a progressive community and the county seat of Hamilton County. This is an excellent opportunity for a law enforcement leader ready to take the next step in their career.
Candidates should have education or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement or a related field, along with at least five years of supervisory or management experience in law enforcement. The salary range is $95,000–$120,000, depending on qualifications, and includes a generous benefits package.
Applicants must meet Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) certification standards and either reside within city limits or be able to respond within 35 minutes.
The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025. For full position details and application instructions, visit https://webstercity.com/job/police-chief/.
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 17
Overview
On Tuesday of this week whispers began and news broke that State Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) was arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex. House Republican and Senate Republican leadership called for his immediate resignation. The Senate Republican Caucus released a statement that afternoon stating, “We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family.”
On Wednesday, the criminal complaint was released and the additional details in the complaint were less than flattering. Senator Eichorn was charged federally, which carries a minimum 10-year sentence. Following the release of the complaint, Senate Republican Leader, Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks), announced that Senate Republicans would bring a motion to expel Senator Eichorn from the Senate at the floor session this week. Two-thirds, or 45 votes, are required to expel a member. Given the 34-33 Democratic majority, expulsion would require a significant bipartisan vote. About five minutes before the Senate floor session was to convene, Senator Johnson issued a press release announcing Senator Eichorn’s resignation. The Senate is now one member short with the Democrats still controlling the chamber with a 34-32 majority. In the weeks to come, there will be a special election to fill the empty seat.
On Friday Governor Walz released his revised two-year budget plan that adds one-time spending for law enforcement training and to respond to avian flu. In the updated plan, there is $250 million in new cuts, proposed for the 2028-2029 budget, come through the reduction or elimination of dozens of programs and grants across state government. The cuts include facilities maintenance funding for charter schools, reducing some aid for transit in greater Minnesota, and the elimination of a state tax rebate program for political contributions.
Public Safety Committees
Public safety legislation was brought over to the House Transportation Committee this week to cover the traffic-related language in the bill. 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. The bill passed through the committee with bi-partisan support and now moves on to its next stop, House Judiciary and Civil Law Committee.
The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee met three times this week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday’s hearing focused on data privacy judicial provisions and consumer protection legislation. On Wednesday, the committee heard a variety of legislation within its jurisdiction relating to public safety community programs. This Friday marked the first Friday hearing for the committee in the Senate to hear a long list of bills and either lay them over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill at a later date, or move them on to another committee. For a full list of bills heard this week, they are listed here on the committee’s bill list.
The House Public Safety Committee continues this week with their co-chairing agreement by switching each meeting between Co-Chair Moller and Co-Chair Novotny. The committee heard bills on advocacy funding requests for crime victims, increasing training requirements for licensed security officers, and adding specifications to the hometown heroes assistance program. On Wednesday, the committee heard legislation regarding funding requests for violent crime enforcement teams and prosecutorial and law enforcement training.
Next week, MCPA’s HF1744 (Stier), a bill to expand the use of tracking devices for fleeing motor vehicles, will be heard in the House Public Safety Committee where it will be amended with agreed upon language by both sides of the aisle.
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)
SF2838 (Clark) Disclosure of personnel data on peace officers and other potential government witnesses to a prosecuting attorney to comply with the authority's constitutional disclosure obligations; Brady-Giglio designation for police officers authorization; Brady-Giglio lists examination task force establishment
Actions:
March 20, 2025
Introduction and first reading Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (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:
Public Safety Finance and Policy (House)
Date: March 25, 2025
Time: 3:00pm (CDT)
Actions:
January 16, 2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety (in the Senate)
March 20, 2025
Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law (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 10, 2025
Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Public Safety Finance and Policy (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)