C-Notes: December 5, 2024
Executive Director Report
Congratulations to Rep. Jeff Witte, the recipient of the 2024 Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Legislator of the Year Award.
This honor recognizes a state senator or representative who demonstrates unwavering dedication to public safety by:
- Authoring legislation aligned with MCPA’s priorities
- Supporting bills that reflect MCPA’s positions
- Working to understand and address the challenges facing law enforcement
- Shaping the public narrative around critical law enforcement issues
A true servant leader, Rep. Witte brings a wealth of experience from his 27-year career with the Burnsville Police Department, where he served as a school resource officer and crisis negotiator. Post-retirement, he continued his service on the Lakeville Planning Commission during a period of rapid growth.
Rep. Witte has earned bipartisan respect in the Legislature for his advocacy for law enforcement and first responders. His achievements include leading efforts to bring school resource officers back to schools, addressing the surge in carjackings, and securing funding for Lakeville’s first responder training facility
Rep. Witte’s “Law Enforcement 365 Initiative” is a testament to his commitment to supporting Minnesota’s first responders year-round, ensuring they have the resources and respect needed to keep our communities safe.
Rep. Witte’s leadership and dedication exemplify the progress that can be made in policing when legislators support our mission and goals. MCPA and the public safety community appreciate his contributions. Congratulations to Rep. Witte on this well-deserved recognition.
Thank you,
Jeff Potts
Executive Director
Officer Jesse Branch Memorial Information
It is with heavy heart that we honor the passing of Red Lake Police Officer Jesse Branch, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Officer Branch's service to the Red Lake Nation and his commitment to protecting his community exemplify the dedication and bravery that define law enforcement.
A visitation for Officer Branch will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, December 6, at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji. Funeral services are set for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Humanities Building in Red Lake, with an interment afterward at Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji. You can read Officer Branch's full obituary with memorial information online. Below you will find the teletype regarding the funeral details.
We extend our deepest condolences to Officer Branch's family, the Red Lake Police Department, and the entire Red Lake Nation as they navigate this loss to their community.
******FUNERAL SERVICES FOR RED LAKE NATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER JESSE BRANCH*****
RED LAKE NATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE MN LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION INVTIES ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR POLICE OFFICER JESSE BRANCH, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON NOVEMBER 27, 2024. RED LAKE PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR KINGBIRD HAS AUTHORIZED ALL LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO BE IN FULL UNIFORM ON RESERVATION LAND FOR ATTENDANCE AT THE FUNERAL SERVICES.
VISITATION: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. OLSON-SCHWARTZ FUNERAL HOME, 3330 IRVINE AVE NW, BEMIDJI, MN.
FUNERAL SERVICE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, 1:00PM. RED LAKE HUMANITIES BUILDING, 23990 MN-1 RED LAKE, MN. PUBLIC VISITATION AND COMMUNITY MEAL BEGINNING AT 12:00 NOON.
LAW ENFORCEMEMT PROCESS: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, 3:30 PM (ESTIMATED TIME) FROM RED LAKE HUMANITIES BUILDING TO HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, 2700 RIDGEWAY AVE NW, BEMIDJI, MN.
CEMETERY SERVICE & FINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HONORS: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, 5:00PM (ESTIMATED TIME), HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, BEMIDJI, MN.
ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ATTENDING THE FUNERAL ARE ASKED TO REPORT TO THE RED LAKE GOVERNMENT CENTER, 15484 MIGIZI DR, RED LAKE, MN AT 12:00 NOON FOR PARKING INSTRUCTIONS AND STAGING.
ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ATTENDING THE CEMETERY SERVICE ARE ASKED TO REPORT TO THE DUNHAM’S SPORTS PARKING LOT, 1401 PAUL BUNYAN DR NW, BEMIDJI, MN AT 4:30 PM FOR PARKING INSTRUCTIONS AND STAGING.
ARRIVING OFFICERS SHOULD TURN TO STAC7 FOR FUNERAL ARRIVAL, STAGING, AND PROCESSION INSTRUCTIONS.
CONTACT MN LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION (LEMA) PRESIDENT BRIAN HUBBARD 763-531-1011 IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS.
Registration Now Open for ETI 2025
MCPA is excited to announce that registration is officially open for the 2025 Executive Training Institute. This year’s conference will take place at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN, a great venue in a beautiful city for learning and collaboration.
Join over 400 law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota to engage with peer and national experts, exchange insights, and explore innovative solutions to today’s most pressing challenges in policing. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Minnesota’s premier professional development event for law enforcement leaders.
Visit mnchiefs.org/events/eti-2025 to learn more and secure your spot today.
Small Agency Chiefs: Apply Now for an ETI Scholarship
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) is proud to support small law enforcement agencies through its ETI Small Agency Scholarship Program, offering 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to help chiefs from agencies with ten or fewer officers attend the 2025 ETI Conference in Rochester, MN, April 7-10, 2025.
These scholarships provide a valuable opportunity for chiefs from small agencies to attend ETI at no cost to their department, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder professional development and training.
Scholarships cover the cost of conference registration and lodging, allowing recipients to participate at no expense to their departments.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a current MCPA Voting Member
- Serve at an agency with ten or fewer officers
Scholarship applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be notified by the end of January 2025. Those selected will receive a $1,000 reimbursement check after attending the conference.
Apply Today
Submit your 2025 ETI Small Agency Scholarship application by January 3, 2025. Contact info@mnchiefs.org if you have any questions.
Nominations Now Open for MCPA Statewide Awards
It's the time of year when MCPA gears up to recognize the exceptional contributions of law enforcement officers and agencies through our Statewide Awards Program. These awards honor those who exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment to public safety.
We are currently seeking nominations for the following awards:
- Police Officer of the Year
- Distinguished Service Award
- Meritorious Service Award
- Lifesaving Award
- Police Cross Award
- Citizen's Valor Award
Visit mnchiefs.org/statewide-awards to read full descriptions of these award categories.
The deadline to submit a nomination is January 15, 2025. If you have any questions, please email info@mnchiefs.org. Awards will be presented during the ETI Awards Banquet in Rochester on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
2025 Membership Renewal Notices Sent
2025 membership renewal notices have been sent out and should already be in your inbox! Be sure to check your email for the renewal details.
You can also access your renewal information by visiting the Member Compass page of the MCPA website.
If you have any questions or concerns about your membership renewal, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@mnchiefs.org.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the MCPA!
Congratulations to the 2024 MCPF Grant Recipients
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation (MCPF) Board of Directors recently approved $81,400 in Community Partnership Grants for the 2024 grant cycle, surpassing the original allocation of $75,000. This funding will support 36 initiatives aimed at enhancing community engagement efforts across Minnesota.
The approved grants include a mix of new programs and expansions of existing ones, reflecting law enforcement's commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships. The following agencies received funding:
- Aitkin PD: Community Policing Engagement Projects
- Belle Plaine PD: Hooks Lines and Heroes Fishing Derby
- Blooming Prairie PD: Elder Scam and Senior Fraud Abuse Awareness
- Bloomington PD: Trivia with Teens
- Braham PD: Pin Pals
- Brooklyn Center PD: Community Open House (Spring 2025)
- Burnsville PD: Teen Academy
- Cambridge PD: Youth Bike Rodeo
- Champlin PD: Police Explorer Post 999
- Corcoran PD: Coffee and Conversations with Cops
- Cottage Grove PD: Youth Academy
- Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Audubon, Lake Park PDs: Shop with a Cop
- Eagan PD: Youth Leadership Academy
- Edina PD: School District Collaboration on Discipline
- Glencoe PD: Community Events
- Glyndon PD: Community Outreach
- Inver Grove Heights PD: Cops and Bobbers
- Lakeville PD: Crisis Care Activity Items
- Le Sueur PD: Smart Choices Workshops
- Lewiston PD: Community Outreach Initiative
- Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie PDs: Youth Domestic Violence Prevention Education
- Mendota Heights PD: 2020 Project
- New Brighton DPS: Peace Keepers Program & Cyber Safety Class
- New Hope PD: Santa Parade
- Starbuck, Glenwood PDs, Pope Co. Sheriff's Office: Cops and Kids
- Prior Lake PD: Bike Rodeo Safety Program
- Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Zumbrota, Goodhue Co. Sheriff's Office: Skate with a Cop
- Richfield PD: Pizza with Police
- Robbinsdale PD/Hennepin Co. JCPP: Youth Builders at Robbinsdale Middle School
- Saint Paul Park PD: Community Engagement and Outreach
- Saint Peter PD: Community Thread
- Sartell PD: National Night Out
- Savage PD: Holiday Heroes
- Waite Park PD: Free Shredding and Drug Take Back Event
- West Concord PD: National Night Out
- Wyoming PD: Multicultural Advisory Committee Food Truck Festival (2025)
Approval letters and checks will be distributed soon. The Foundation will continue to support community initiatives through future grants made possible by donations. Congratulations to all grant recipients!
SAVE THE DATE: Peer Support Training Event
