Administration
- The Police Administration is made up of the following positions: Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Patrol, Deputy Chief of Investigations and Deputy Chief of Professional Standards.
- The Director of Financial Operations and Public Information Officers report to the Assistant Chief of Police.
- Most Minneapolis Police Department operations are located within three Bureaus. The remaining specialized operations report directly to the Administration. The three Bureaus are as follows:
- Patrol Bureau
- Investigations Bureau
- Professional Standards Bureau
- The Chief of Police may organize and staff committees and boards to perform special tasks for the Department. The composition of the committee or board depends upon the issues or circumstances to be reviewed.
Administrative Sections Under Administration
Chief’s Detail
The Chief's Detail is comprised of professional staff who provide administrative and support services for the Chief's office.
Chaplain Program
The community clergy of the Chaplain Program contract with the MPD to provide spiritual care and support services to MPD employees and to the citizens of Minneapolis. This program is overseen by the Assistant Chief.
Financial Operations
Financial Operations supports all MPD operations including accounting, contract management, grant management, financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
Police Stores
The Police Stores function facilitates the procurement, inventory and disbursement of all (non-vehicular) equipment and supplies for the Department (including police radios and cell phones).
Health & Wellness
The Health and Wellness function serves as liaison to employees, city doctors, outside medical facilities and other agencies for work-related employee health information. This function also coordinates activities for employees (such as health screenings, etc.).
PIO
This Public Information Office is responsible for providing information to the community. The team manages the MPD's social media accounts and coordinates data practices requests made by journalists. Public Information officers also respond to major incidents to provide information to the public.
Investigations Bureau
Organization and Functions of the Investigations Bureau
The Investigations Bureau is made up of the Forensics Division, the Special Crimes Investigations Division and the Violent Crimes Investigations Division.
Forensics Division
The MPD Forensics Division (Crime Lab) management team and its members are committed to providing quality and professional forensic services for all requesting agencies and divisions in a timely and proficient manner. The Forensics Division conducts casework in the following areas:
- Computer Forensics
- Field Operations (Car 21 - crime scene processing, Friction Ridge Impressions, AFIS, and footwear)
- Firearms and Toolmarks
- Forensic Garage
- Video Forensics
The Forensics Division assists in the investigation of a wide range of crimes including, but not limited to burglaries, robberies, and homicides.
The Forensics Division Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing the activities of the Forensics Division, including supervision, establishing policies, and procedures to ensure lab results meet established standards, and ensuring that lab resources are used efficiently. The Director reports to the Deputy Chief of the Investigations Bureau.
Forensics Management
The Forensics Management supervises, oversees, and assists Forensics Division members engaged in the investigation, examination and analysis of evidence in the AFIS, Field Operations and Forensic Garage sections.
Forensics AFIS
The Forensics AFIS section examines and makes identifications on latent prints using access to various fingerprint databases.
Forensics Field Operations
The Forensics Field Operations section examines, documents, processes, and collects evidence at crime scenes and in the laboratory. Personnel also examine friction ridge impressions (FRI's). A sub-discipline of the Field Operations section is footwear impression examination.
Forensics Garage
The Forensics Garage section processes vehicles used in crimes and suspected stolen vehicles.
Forensics Supervisor
The Forensics Supervisor/Sergeant supervises, oversees, and assists Forensics Division members engaged in the investigation, examination and analysis of evidence in the Computer Forensics, Firearms and Toolmarks, and Video Forensics Sections.
Forensics Computer
The Forensics Computer section performs forensic examinations on items, such as computers, thumb drives, and cellular phones. In addition to their forensic duties, examiners also conduct criminal investigations involving the distribution, manufacturing, and possession of child sexual assault material.
Forensics Firearms
The Forensics Firearms and Tool Mark section performs examinations on firearm and toolmark evidence as well as manages the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) program for the MPD.
Forensics Video
The Forensics Video section personnel analyze video for evidentiary content, isolate and enhance still video images, perform analog to digital conversion, make video viewable on City network computers, perform audio analysis, recover video from DVRs, perform comparative analysis and prepare timelines.
Forensics Quality Assurance
The Quality Administrator oversees the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation of the lab and ensures compliance with all technical standards associated with the operation of the Forensics Division.
Special Crimes Investigations Division
These units in the Special Crimes Investigations Division work with community partners and social service agencies to ensure violators are found and prosecuted. The teams also focus on ensuring victims receive compassionate and thoughtful service.
Crimes Against Children
The Crimes Against Children unit investigates cases involving adult or juvenile suspects for crimes of child abuse, physical or sexual abuse, child endangerment, neglect, deprivation of parental rights and parental kidnapping.
Domestic Assault
The Domestic Assault unit investigates cases involving adult suspects and adult victims for the crimes of domestic assault.
Juvenile Investigations
The Juvenile Investigations unit investigates Robbery, Assault (including domestic assault) and missing person cases in which the offender is under 18 years of age. The unit provides processing services and short-term detention for arrested juveniles. The unit maintains all runaway and missing juvenile files and serves as the central repository for juvenile criminal history records. The unit also offers diversion options and tracking for first time juvenile offenders of low-level offenses.
Juvenile Missing and Absentee Investigations
This program works to identify runaway and other missing youth and to return them to a safe environment as well as the investigation of juvenile sex trafficking.
License Investigation
The License Investigation unit, in cooperation with other City departments and State agencies, investigates applicants for various business licenses and permits issued by the City of Minneapolis, such as those governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, pawn shops and second-hand stores, charitable gaming activities, and permits to purchase handguns. The unit also helps monitor and regulate the operation of businesses holding these licenses and permits. (Note: Permits to carry a handgun are issued through Hennepin County.)
The License Investigation unit also maintains a cost accounting system for Federal and State grants and non-grant projects and a tracking system for Federal, State, DWI & MPD forfeitures.
Auto Theft Prevention (ATP)
The ATP section coordinates ‘bait vehicles’ for use in deterring vehicle thefts.
Financial Crimes Unit
The Financial Crimes unit investigates financial crimes consisting of forgery, financial transaction card fraud (unauthorized use of credit, check, debit and EBT/Electronic Benefits Transfer cards or account numbers), theft by swindle (scams, con games and misrepresentation), identity theft, and embezzlement.
Narcotics Unit
The Narcotics unit investigates in-custody cases involving adult suspects for the illegal selling, buying and possession of dangerous drugs or narcotics. The Narcotics Unit is also responsible for the tracking of narcotic asset forfeitures.
VOTF- DEA TF
The Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF) function supports investigations by coordinating suspect information with a focus on arresting recidivist or violent criminal suspects.
Vulnerable Adult section
The Vulnerable Adult section investigates cases involving adult or juvenile suspects for crimes committed against vulnerable adults as described by statute. These crimes include forgery, fraud and financial exploitation.
Sex Crimes
The Sex Crimes unit investigates cases involving adult suspects and most juvenile suspects for the crimes of sexual assault, non-familial child molestation, indecent exposure, luring and non-domestic related stalking cases.
BCA Human Trafficking Task Force
The BCA Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force employs innovative strategies to identify and rescue victims of organized sex trafficking, which may involve investigating cases, arresting and charging the perpetrators and participating in their prosecution.
Predator Offender Registration Section
The Predator Offender Registration section handles Predatory Offender registrations and coordinates Level III Sex Offender community notification meetings.
Traffic Investigations
The Traffic Investigations unit investigates serious injury and fatal accidents, Hit-and-Run Accidents with Injuries, Pursuits and Squad Accidents. Traffic Investigations also investigates Auto Insurance Fraud cases, maps accident scenes, and provides assistance to the Forensics Division, Homicide and other units with measuring and recording serious crime scenes.
Arson
The Arson unit reports to the Traffic Investigations lieutenant. The Arson unit investigates cases involving fires of suspicious origins and works closely with the Minneapolis Fire Department’s Fire Examiners.
U-Visa
The U-Visa function manages, processes, and tracks all U-Visa applications. The unit also collaborates with intergovernmental agencies surrounding issues and concerns of the immigrant and refugee community.
Violent Crimes Investigations Division
The Violent Crimes Investigation Division consists of a Commander and an Analyst that work to find and bring to justice those who commit violent crimes. The units in this division work with members of the community to reduce violent crime in Minneapolis.
Assault
The Assault unit investigates cases involving Third Degree Assault (significant bodily harm) or greater.
Violent Crimes Investigation Team
The VCIT unit investigates cases involving shootings.
Criminal Investigation Adm
The office support personnel in this unit support police investigations.
Homicide
The Homicide unit investigates cases involving adult and juvenile suspects for the crime of murder. The unit also investigates non-parental kidnappings, and works with Traffic Accident Investigations on fatal hit-and-run vehicle accidents. They review deaths reported to the police including: suicides and attempted suicides, non-vehicular accidents and drug overdoses. The Homicide unit investigates MPD employee involved critical incidents.
FBI Cold Case Liaison
The Homicide unit is relentless in pursuing justice for friends and relatives of homicide victims, and that includes unsolved cases from many years ago. The MPD is always looking for new information on “cold cases,” and the Liaison is part of a team where resources are collaboratively dedicated by the MPD, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT)
The primary role of VCAT is to support the Violent Crimes Investigations Division with locating and apprehending violent criminal suspects. VCAT also assists other law enforcement agencies with violent criminal apprehensions.
Robbery
The Robbery unit investigates robbery incidents involving adult suspects. The unit members participate in joint investigations of financial institution robberies with the FBI, Metro Robbery Task Forces and proactive robbery suspect projects.
Patrol Bureau
Organization and Functions of the Patrol Bureau
The Patrol Bureau provides effective and efficient response to calls for service and enforces laws with specific emphasis on community policing, street crime and traffic safety. The Patrol Bureau is made up of five Police Precincts, the Special Operations Division and CCP/SAFE Central.
Precincts
The five precincts provide police services for the people who live in, work in and visit the city of Minneapolis. Each precinct consists of the following functions:
Patrol Sector
Patrol Sector functions include primary response to emergency and non‑emergency calls for service, directed patrols, apprehending offenders, preventing and deterring crime, initially investigating and gathering evidence at crime scenes, and maintaining order within the community.
The Patrol Sector may use a variety of options to enhance the effectiveness of motor patrol and 911 responses including directed patrol, canine, walking, bicycle and motorized beats; coordinating business and community needs with other areas of the Department and participating in community meetings and directed assignments.
Neighborhood Directed Patrol
The Directed Patrol function provides officer presence and response to areas requiring increased police services based upon crime patterns and community need.
Crime Analysts
The Crime Analysis team helps MPD respond to crime patterns and criminal activity throughout the city.
Community Response Unit
The functions of the Community Response Units are designated by each precinct Inspector.
Community Response Team
The Community Response Team is a mobile flexible force that is available for assignment in uniform or plain clothes on a priority basis. Assignments may include, but are not limited to: drug suppression, vice control, surveillance, crowd control, high crime or crime specific patrol. They serve as a primary responder to events and demonstrations that have the potential for civil disorder. (Note: Precincts may coordinate with other teams as situations dictate.)
Precinct Investigation Units
Precinct Investigations Unit functions include gathering evidence, identifying and apprehending offenders and preparing cases for prosecution on all burglary, theft and damage to property cases and auto-related crimes. They are responsible for following up on adult missing persons reports.
CCP/SAFE
Community Crime Prevention/SAFE Central is responsible for coordinating citywide crime prevention programs such as National Night Out and Rental Property Owner Workshops. CCP/SAFE Central also supports various precinct-based crime prevention and problem-solving programs by overseeing the nuisance conduct on premise enforcement process, maintaining crime prevention volunteer databases, creating crime alerts, designing and printing crime prevention materials, updating and maintaining crime prevention Web pages and fulfilling requests for Calls for Service reports.
BRRT
The Bicycle Rapid Response Team (BRRT) is a group of specifically trained bike patrol officers and supervisors that can effectively provide a community-based patrol presence on bicycles. These teams specialize in managing crowds, protests, demonstrations, special events, disasters, sporting events, search and rescue operations and reconnaissance missions. They provide security and protection for those who live in, work in or visit the city of Minneapolis.
Mounted Patrol
The Mounted Patrol unit works efficiently and effectively in crowd control situations utilizing the size and ability of the horses. The Mounted Patrol unit also connects with the community while on patrol and at many community events.
Call Center
Call Center utilizes employees to take city-wide police reports remotely by phone to help alleviate the calls for service to marked 911 units. Employees who are on light duty status or other non-full duty status may be utilized in this capacity.
Strategic Operations Division
The Strategic Operations Division is a Hybrid Division comprised of plainclothes investigators, uniformed patrol officers and civilian analysts. Investigations are conducted using data, sources of information and forensics to focus on those individuals or groups that are believed to be participating in gun related crimes within the city of Minneapolis or that have a nexus to the city of Minneapolis. Investigators will present criminal investigations to the most appropriate State or Federal prosecuting office.
Firearms Release Unit
The purpose of the Firearms Release program is to have a single source point of contact that will help to ensure all federal, state and local ordinances are being followed as required of law enforcement agencies that have seized or taken custody of a person’s firearm. Day-to-day operation of this position requires daily contact with public as well as investigators, attorneys, and property and evidence management. Improper release of firearms has resulted in civil litigation and is an extremely important function. This is one of several reasons this position is staffed with a Lieutenant who has both authority and a higher level of understanding required to process complex laws and administrative requirements associated with the release of firearms.
Gun Investigations Unit
The Gun Investigations section is responsible for facilitating criminal investigations of those people who are in-custody for violating weapons offenses. Investigators assigned to this group also initiate proactive investigations designed to disrupt criminal activity associate with gun related crimes.
Strategic Analysis
The Strategic Analysis team helps MPD direct resources in response to crime patterns and criminal activity throughout the city.
Professional Standards Bureau
Organization and Functions of the Professional Standards Bureau
The Professional Standards Bureau supports the Chief’s Administrative Detail, Patrol Bureau and Investigations Bureau through management of personnel, training, vehicles, equipment, information and technology.
Administrative Services Division
The Administrative Services Division supports the Department through providing internal administrative processes including Health and Wellness and Personnel Leaves. The division also maintains administrative records for employees assigned to the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation.
Early Intervention System (EIS)
The MPD’s Early Intervention System (EIS) helps ensure each employee’s performance is appropriate for their assignment, training, experience and factors that are unique to each person. EIS is meant to give employees notice that their performance isn’t meeting MPD standard and to give them the opportunity and the resources necessary to bring their performance to a level that reflects the Department’s professional service standards.
Federation/PFOM
The Federation/PFOM function includes union representatives assigned to the Federation on a full-time basis.
Health and Safety
The Health and Safety Coordinator manages the medical processes that support employees during periods of injury or illness that can impact them at work, while on leave or returning to work. The Coordinator also develops and manages safety and health related programs within the MPD and in collaboration with other City departments and external partners.
Mayor’s Detail
The Mayor’s Detail is the protection detail assigned to the Mayor of Minneapolis.
Personnel Leaves
The Personnel Leaves function is a record of employees on long-term leaves of absence.
Quality Assurance Unit
The Quality Assurance Unit is responsible for oversight, assuring compliance, and effective operations of all functions, policies and directives of the MPD.
Research & Policy Development
The Research and Policy Development (R&D) function develops and implements new policies and provides on-going maintenance and updates for current policies. R&D performs research and analysis of various functions within the MPD at the direction of the Administration. R&D also oversees the off-duty approval process, and handles personnel data requests.
Chief’s Special Detail
The Chief’s Special Detail section supports professional standards processes and handles special projects as needed.
Internal Affairs
The Internal Affairs unit records and investigates complaints from citizens, Department employees and outside agencies concerning the conduct and actions of Minneapolis Police Department employees.
The Internal Affairs unit provides investigative support to all critical incidents and may also be assigned investigations into employee misconduct or other areas by the Administration. The Internal Affairs unit is also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of internal affairs investigations and records.
Special Projects
The Special Projects function develops and implements new policies and provides on-going maintenance and updates for current policies. Special Projects coordinates with other City partners on initiatives of the Chief.
Technology and Support Services Division
Technology and Support Services Division oversees and facilitates MPD’s technology needs. This includes computers and software, cellphones, body cameras and fleet related technology. The division also oversees the Records Information unit, Property and Evidence unit, and Fleet Management.
Business Technology Unit
The Business Technology Unit acts as a liaison between the MPD and Business Information Systems (BIS) and provides the following services:
- Coordination, leadership and Information Technology (IT) knowledge in defining MPD IT projects.
- User support for network-based applications that are unique to the MPD, including: PIMS, MPD Workforce Director and the CityTalk Intranet site.
- Coordination of access to MPD applications for department users and external and agencies.
Support Services
The Support Services section provides records management, property and evidence intake and fleet management for the Department.
Fleet Services
The Police Equipment Specialist (Fleet Manager) oversees the management and assignment of all vehicles (marked and unmarked) in the MPD fleet. The Specialist serves as the liaison to the Public Works Department on fleet issues.
Property & Evidence
The Property and Evidence unit handles the inventory, documentation, storage, release and disposal of all recovered property and items held as evidence.
Records Support
The Records Support section includes the Records Information unit (RIU).
- Records Information
The Records Information unit (RIU) oversees the organization, retention and dissemination of all MPD records. RIU is the point of contact for all MPD public data requests.
Training Division
The Training Division focuses on the professional development of every employee at every level.
Procedural Justice Unit
The Procedural Justice Unit leads all MPD officers and non-sworn personnel in identifying strategic and tactical ways to improve public trust through every interaction with members of the community. The unit also actively engages communities in ways that reflect the four pillars of Procedural Justice.
Backgrounds
The Background function provides background investigation services for all potential sworn and civilian employees for the Police Department.
- Court Liaison
The Court Liaison communicates with the County Attorney’s office to ensure timely information and subpoenas are tracked and forwarded to Department employees. They coordinate the scheduling of officers for court and the issuance of court related overtime.
Community Engagement Team
The Community Engagement Team (CET) is designed to build and develop positive and ongoing relationships with members of the community. The community and the police department benefit as CET staff engages in positive contacts. Informational meetings to inform the public about department policy and procedures are a key component to the team’s success.
- Police Athletic League (PAL)
The Police Athletic League (PAL) is an organization created to facilitate and develop positive relationships between Minneapolis youth and Minneapolis Police. PAL offers various sporting, educational, social and community events at which MPD employees may participate.
CSO Program
CSOs are civilian employees who are in the process of becoming recruit officers. During the CSO tenure, they work in various non-enforcement positions while completing their academic and other law enforcement requirements.
Homeless and Vulnerable Population Initiative
This initiative serves as a link between the homeless and social service agencies which connect the homeless to valuable resources.
Recruitment
The Recruitment unit focuses on MPD’s commitment to recruiting highly qualified and diverse candidates.
Training Unit-Academy & FTO Program
The Academy and FTO Program area provides training for new recruit and cadet officers through the MPD Academy.
Academy
The MPD Academy provides training for new recruit officers.
FTO Program
This FTO Program partners a recruit officer with an officer who trains and evaluates them in the field after they have completed the recruit academy.
Training Unit- Leadership Development & Specialty Programs
The Leadership Development and Specialty Programs section of the Training Division provides ongoing education and skill development for the MPD workforce.
Supervisor’s Orientation
Newly promoted sergeants in both investigation and patrol go through an orientation period prior to a permanent assignment and are assigned to Supervisor’s Orientation during this period.
Training Unit-Use of Force & Patrol Operations Programs
The Use of Force and Patrol Operations Programs section of the Training Division provides specialized instruction and skill development programs for defensive tactics, firearms and patrol response.
Special Operations & Intelligence Division
The Special Operations & Intelligence Division supports strategic, tactical and unique operational needs to coordinate emergency response demands of the police department.
Special Operations Unit
The Special Operations unit provides specialized support to patrol functions and the community.
Bomb
The Bomb squad is made up of full-time and collateral-duty FBI-certified bomb technicians who respond to all explosive related incidents throughout the city. The bomb squad maintains an on-call team to respond to calls twenty-four hours a day. The bomb squad also responds to calls for service outside of Minneapolis as requested by the State of Minnesota.
Canine
The Canine (K9) unit partners an officer with a trained canine (dog). The Canine unit supports law enforcement actions of the MPD by assisting with suspect and missing person tracking; building, area and vehicle searches; as well as drug and explosive detection.
Crisis Negotiations
The Crisis Negotiations team is a voluntary team made up of collateral-duty officers from various assignments within the Department. Negotiators are available twenty-four hours a day and upon request will respond to Operation 100s, barricaded subjects threatening violence, hostage situations or other protracted crisis situations. The goal of negotiations is to achieve a peaceful resolution through effective negotiation techniques when possible and to support tactical strategies.
Emergency Preparedness Unit (EPU)
The Emergency Preparedness employee liaises with Homeland Security, manages special events, and works with the National Incident Management System.
Special Events Dignitary Protection Reserves
The Special Events function coordinates Police and Police Reserve details for large scale activities throughout the city. Special Events coordinates efforts with all City departments, other jurisdictions, private businesses and local, state and national officials. The Special Events function is responsible for coordinating Dignitary Protection requirements.
Mobile Field Force
The Mobile Field Force is a group of employees trained in large scale crowd management and civil unrest. This is a secondary designation for sworn personnel.
Strike Teams
The Strike Teams are highly mobile teams that work in concert with SWAT CART teams to provide flexible and mobile responses to civil unrest and other emergent incidents. This is a secondary designation for sworn personnel.
SWAT Unit
The voluntary SWAT Unit includes full time and collateral duty officers who receive advanced and specialized training. SWAT trains and equips Rifle, Chemical Munitions, Entry, Mobile Command/Technical Support, Logistics, Crisis Negotiations and Medical Support Teams.
Tactical
The SWAT Tactical function provides a tactical and operational response for situations that exceed the scope of patrol officers. These include barricaded suspects, snipers, hostage situations and other potentially volatile situations. SWAT serves high-risk arrest search warrants. SWAT is available as a resource to assist with or assume control of large civil disturbances and other events at the direction of the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee.
Mobile Command
The Mobile Command team fulfills a support function within SWAT and for the Department as a whole. Mobile Command’s primary role is to establish and operate a field command post and provide technical support during events such as Operation 100s, disaster scenes, large scale police emergencies, and at pre-planned events.
SWAT Medic
This unit covers sworn personnel with medical certification who are deployed with SWAT upon situational need and request.
Strategic Information Center (SIC)
SIC provides analysis of crime statistics and serves as the focal point for intelligence information gathering, assessment and disbursement. The information gathered assists investigative, administrative and patrol functions of the Department.
Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
The MPD assigns officers to serve on the (Federal) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The Task Force coordinates information that may involve potential terroristic activity and threats to national security.