C-Notes: April 18, 2025
Executive Director Report
2025 Annual Meeting Recap & Election Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Annual Meeting and Board Election. If you missed the meeting or would like to rewatch any portion of it, a full recording is available:
Passcode: MCPA2025!
We’re pleased to share the results of this year’s Board Election:
- 2nd Vice President: Chief Brian Podany (Blaine)
- 3rd Vice President: Chief Brady Juell (Savage)
- Secretary: Chief Tanya Schwartz (Burnsville)
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Chief Brian Mueller (Stillwater)
- Directors: Chief Neil Bauer (Wyoming) & Chief Mike Mastin (Bemidji)
Thank you to all the candidates who ran for board positions. Our Association is strong because of our committed and engaged board of directors and our active and engaged membership. For anyone wanting to get involved in the Association's work, we have several committees you can join (i.e., Legislative, ETI, Awards, etc.). Please contact me if you would like to serve on a committee.
Congratulations to all, and thank you for your continued leadership and service to MCPA.
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
State-Mandated Police Training at Risk if Philando Castile Fund is Cut
As our members know, the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund has played a vital role in helping law enforcement agencies meet state-mandated training requirements related to crisis intervention and de-escalation. MCPA Executive Director Jeff Potts recently sat down with KARE 11 to outline the importance of this funding and how proposed budget cuts could negatively impact all agencies across Minnesota. Losing this support would make it significantly harder for departments to provide the training our officers need and the public expects.
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.
2025 Critical Incident Training Offered Statewide
Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) are once again teaming up to host their 4th annual Critical Incident Training, offering one-day sessions across Minnesota. This free training is designed not only for those directly involved in a critical incident but also for those responsible for managing the response.
With 6 POST credits available, the course helps law enforcement leaders and personnel better understand what to expect when a critical event occurs. All LELS and MPPOA members are welcome to attend. Non-members may also register, but space is limited and priority will be given to members.
2025 Training Dates and Locations:
- May 22 – Beltrami County Emergency Operations Center, Bemidji
- May 29 – The MERIT Center, Marshall
- September 18 – The Clearing, Sauk Rapids
- September 10 – Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park (held in conjunction with the LELS Annual Training)
To view the agenda and register, visit: Critical Incident Training Agenda and Registration
For questions, contact your LELS Business Agent or Jim Mortenson, LELS Executive Director, at jmortenson@lels.org.
2025 PLECET National Training Conference: Strengthening Law Enforcement–Community Engagement
At the recent IACP Midyear Division meetings, state law enforcement leaders were introduced to a unique training opportunity designed to advance community engagement within policing.
The 2025 Professionalizing Law Enforcement–Community Engagement Training (PLECET) National Conference will take place June 4–8, 2025, at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. This national event is the only one of its kind focused exclusively on institutionalizing and professionalizing community engagement in law enforcement agencies.
Launched in 2023, PLECET brings together agencies and outreach professionals committed to enhancing trust and partnerships with the communities they serve. Departments are encouraged to send their community engagement staff to this impactful event.
To learn more, visit plecetconference2025.org/video for a brief video highlighting the significance of this training. Additional details are available in this flyer.
Crime Prevention Through Community-Law Enforcement Partnership Training
This continuing education course is designed to enhance law enforcement officers’ knowledge, skills, and understanding of the Juvenile Justice System, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, adolescent brain development, and officer wellness.
Participants will receive 8 hours of POST continuing education credits, including:
- 5 General Education credits
- 3 POST mandatory credits in the categories of Conflict Management, Crisis Intervention & Mental Illness, and Officer Wellness
Space is limited. Register today by emailing Precious.Lowery@mn.state.edu.
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.