C-Notes: April 25, 2025
Executive Director Report
We are at a critical point in the legislative session. As we entered this session, our top priority was to preserve the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund at its current level of $6 million per year. We fully understand how important these funds are to agencies' ability to train officers on mandated topics. We also recognize that many of our smaller agencies rely solely on these funds for their training budgets.
As of this morning, the Senate has allocated $3 million per year and the House has allocated $5.5 million per year to the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund.
Many of you have already reached out to your local State Legislators. Your efforts may be why the Senate offered an amendment this morning to increase their allocation from $1 million per year to $3 million per year.
We need everyone to continue talking to your local State House and Senate members to encourage them to fully fund the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund at $6 million per year. It is also helpful if you can write a letter. Here is a link to talking points you can use for conversations or letters. Feel free to copy and paste directly from these talking points if you choose to send a letter.
It is going to require a strong push to keep these funds intact. I know you care very much about this issue, and the MCPA needs you to use your influence to convince your House and Senate members to stand firm on funding.
Additionally, the MCPA is working on creating a Peer Support Program for Chiefs and Command Staff officers. This program is long overdue, and I believe it will be highly beneficial to our members as you navigate the many challenges and pressures of your roles. Your mental health is vitally important to your ability to lead and sustain your organizations.
The state now requires anyone providing peer support services to complete 30 hours of peer support training. This training typically costs between $500 and $650.
To successfully launch a Peer Support Program for all of our members, we will need a considerable number of trained Peer Support Chiefs and Command Staff officers. We currently have 32 Chiefs and Command Staff officers enrolled in the Peer Support Training that we are hosting in partnership with the Eagan and Bloomington Police Departments. This training will take place May 5-9 at Bloomington Civic Plaza.
We would like to fill this class with 40 participants. Thanks to support from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) and Eagan Police Department, the cost is heavily subsidized at only $250 per person. Here is a link to the training announcement with information on how to register.
If you or someone from your agency would like to help us launch a statewide Peer Support Program, please consider registering.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
MCPA Board Meeting SACOP Update
The IACP/SACOP items presented the board meeting during ETI are provided/linked below for the board. Thank you for the time to present.
Presidential changes - IACP priority
2020 President's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice: Final Report 300 recommendations and the first report since The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society – President’s Crime Commission Report of 1967. IACP has been lobbying for new commission for about 30 years. Gordon Ramsey, St. Louis County Sheriff and former Duluth Chief represented on 2020 commission (see page 255 of the report).
Immigration: Policy Fact Sheet and Policy Fact Sheet Amendment
Coalition Against Big Trucks
CABT released The Impacts of Heavier Trucks on Local Bridges: 2025 Update, an update to our very successful 2023 analysis. Working with the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Engineers, this update shows the serious threat heavier trucks have to local bridges:
- The cost to replace these bridges has increased by as much as $20 billion, depending on the configuration, compared to the 2023 study, largely due to rising construction costs. The estimated cost is between $70.6 billion and $98.6 billion, an alarming increase from the 2023 estimate of $54.6 billion to $78.4 billion.
- Depending on the proposed heavier truck configurations, between 65,157 and 82,457 local bridges nationwide would be at risk if Congress allowed heavier trucks on the nation’s highways.
- The CABT can provide the Minnesota State Bridge Report upon request.
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.
Officer Safety Awareness Tactics Training
The FBI’s Officer Safety Awareness Training (OSAT) program provides free, research-based training designed to help law enforcement officers identify and prevent life-threatening situations. Established in 2004, OSAT uses data from four major FBI studies analyzing assaults and felonious deaths of officers to focus on why incidents occur and how to improve officer safety. The training covers critical topics such as traffic stops, foot pursuits, ambushes, and the "Deadly Mix" of contributing factors. Officers can access OSAT materials, including firsthand video accounts from officers and offenders, through the FBI’s Virtual Academy or the JusticeConnect platform.
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.