Glossary

These terms are used widely across policies. Definitions are general and may not apply in every context or to historical policies—always refer to the specific policy language for an accurate interpretation.

• Authority

  Legal or rightful command or power.

• Booking

  The processing of arrested persons.

• Bureau

  A major organizational component of the MPD comprised of precincts, units and divisions.

• Bureau Head

  A Deputy Chief or Bureau Chief

• CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch)

  CAD is the electronic system used to manage law enforcement resources in relation to calls for service.

• Chain of Command

  The continuous line of authority to and from the Chief of Police.

• Child or Minor

  A person under the age of 18.

• Citizens

  Inhabitants of a particular town or city, including Anonymous Citizen, Confidential Citizen, and Tipster

• Civilian

  A non sworn civil service employee.

• Command

  A specific area within the MPD organizational structure or an event over which a presiding officer has authority and is responsible for managing.

• Court

  A branch of the judiciary with the legal authority to interpret and apply the law, resolve disputes, and make binding decisions within its jurisdiction.

• Detail

  Personnel assigned to a specific mission.

• Division

  A major component of a bureau.

• Employee

  All sworn and civilian members of the MPD.

• Finance

  Tracks and records costs (via logs) for the operation.

• Function

  A major organizational component of a bureau, division or unit.

• HCJ

  Hennepin County Jail

• Investigation

  A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.

• Juvenile / Child / Minor

  A person who is younger than 18 years of age.

• Juvenile Criminal Apprehension Team

  A component of the Juvenile Unit that focuses on apprehending wanted juveniles.

• May

  The specified action is permitted

• MPD member

  Any sworn or non-sworn employee of the Minneapolis Police Department

• Officer

  A sworn employee working in a capacity relating to their status as a law enforcement officer.

• OTL

  Out to Lunch

• P#

  Property Number

• Precinct

  A division of the Patrol Bureau representing a geographical area of the city.

• Promotion

  A position change to a higher classification.

• Rank

  Classification held by a sworn employee.

• Ranking Officer

  Officer of the highest rank. Officers of the same rank are ranked according to appointment date within their rank.

• Seniority

  See Civil Service Rules and Regulations or labor contract.

• Shall

  The specified course of action is Mandatory

• Shift

  A scheduled period of work or duty shared with a group of employees assigned common hours.

• Should

  The specified action is advised

• Sick Leave

  See Civil Service Rules and Regulations or labor contract.

• Squad Car

  An MPD police vehicle, either referred to as a squad car or squad.

• Status Offender

  A juvenile status offender is a juvenile who is taken into police custody for an offense that would not be a crime if committed by an adult. This includes: truancy, curfew violations, runaway and underage possession or consumption of tobacco and alcohol products.

• Supervisor

  Any member who is officially assigned to supervise other members.

• Unit

  An organizational component within a bureau, division or precinct usually supervised by a lieutenant or civilian equivalent.

• Watch

  An assigned duty/work period.

• Will

  The specified course of action is Mandatory

• Work Day and Week

  A work day begins and ends at 2400 hours. The work week for the MPD begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.