>>> Minnesota Supreme Court Redefines “Stand Your Ground” Concept

The Minnesota Supreme Court has held in State v. Bliens (2024) that a person being assaulted must prove they attempted to remove themselves from the scene with all vigor before they can engage the assaulter to defend themselves. The new ruling puts the onus on the victim to leave the scene before they can engage the assaulter; this truly is a fundamental change in attitude by the State Supreme Court, which will undoubtedly cause significant changes in how the State will decide which cases to prosecute. Another sad day for Minnesota Law Enforcement.

>>> Minneapolis Police Pulling Out All The Stops to Recruit Police Officers

In the first two months of 2020, the Minneapolis Police was a Progressive and Professional Police Department. Then, the events of March 2020 took place – “Police” allegedly murdered career criminal Floyd.

Today, the Department faces a significant challenge, with a shortage of about 200 Officers compared to February 2020 – 741 to now about 579. The City’s recruitment efforts span TV, radio, newspapers, and trade journals. The City is offering higher salaries to individuals and bonuses if they are hired.

– Continued “Pulling Out All The Stops to Recruit Police Officers”

Just this month The Minneapolis Department negotiated for officers will a guaranteed 21% pay raise for this coming New Year.  The starting salary will pushed up to more than $90,000.00.  The new salary adjustment will make the Department one of the highest in the State and be comparable to large cities throughout the nation.  The Department expects this to help in recruiting of new officers.

The contract also provides more oversight by the City over the Police Department.  The decision passed the progressive City Council by a

– Continued “Pulling Out All The Stops to Recruit Officers

margin of 8 to 4 City Fathers changed their attitude towards the Police. It takes years to ‘get’ an excellent professional police officer who can ‘Walk A Beat.” Police Officers do not do the job for money; quite the contrary.

>>> Minneapolis PD “End Of Watch”

Minneapolis Police Department has lost 50 Officers to ‘On Duty Loss of Life.” The Lists deadliest decade was the 1930s with the loss of 12 Officers. Four of the Officer’s were killed from 1930 to 1936 by members of the infamous Karpis-Barker Gang.

>>> Closing of Minnesota Police Departments

The state has lost 35 police departments in the last decade. One would think at first that the Floyd event was a contributing factor, but it was not. As with all such decisions, money is the cause.

Most of the closures affected small towns, where Departments with ten or fewer Officers were forced to shut down. In an effort to maintain or cut budgets, these towns had to eliminate their Departments and request coverage by the County Sheriff’s Office, which already had police jurisdiction. This consolidation eliminated double coverage, but it’s important to note that police protection has been maintained.

– Continued “Closing of Minnesota Police Departments

Listing of the 35 Police Department Closed” since 2016:

Adams, Alden,  Amboy/Vernon Center, Anoka County Park, Asby, Baudette, Brandon, Carlos, Clara City, Cosmos, Dunnell, Eagle Bend, Eagle Lake, Elbow Lake, Emily, Fountain, Gary, Goodhue, Hancock, Lake Benton, Lanesboro, Morris, Morristown, Morton, Newport, Ortonville, Ostrander, Pike Bay, Randle, Sacred Heart, Silver Lake, Spring Grove, Stillwater, Sri City and Wheaton.

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association reached its 50th birthday in 2004 with over 500 members and an impressive list of programs and services. The Association was formed as a fraternal organization. In 1954 there were 34 charter members led by President Frank Broderius of Hutchinson. Secretary George Roope of the Austin P.D. described one of the immediate benefits of membership as “one or more get-togethers a year where we exchange experiences and ideas.” The exchange of experience and ideas remains one of the greatest benefits of the Association today.

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