Listening Sessions To Explore What Creates Trust In Police

ACROSS MINNESOTA — To ensure trust between law enforcement and the Minnesota residents they serve, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety next week will host several listening sessions across the state. The sessions will focus on values and characteristics community members believe contribute to trust in police officers.

Those who attend the sessions also will have an opportunity to provide recommendations about the characteristics they believe are most important in the recruitment and selection of state law enforcement officers. The input will guide state agencies — including the Minnesota State Patrol, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement — in hiring new officers, said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington.

“Our hope is that intentionally involving the community in this process will result in an increased level of trust and provide a framework that other police departments around the state may wish to follow,” Harrington said in a release.

Sessions are scheduled at the following locations, and are slated to last 90 minutes:

• Rochester - July 30, 10 -11:30 a.m., Century Senior High School·
• Burnsville - August 8, 10 -11:30 a.m., Burnsville High School
• Maple Grove - August 14, 10 -11:30 a.m., Maple Grove Middle School
• St. Cloud - August 16, 10 -11:30 a.m., Quarryview Education Center
• St. Paul – August 19, 10-11:30 a.m., Central High School
• Duluth- August 23, 10-11:30 a.m., Duluth East High School
• International Falls - August 23, 6-7:30 p.m., International Falls High School
• Minneapolis - TBD
• Thief River Falls -TBD·
• Marshall - TBD

Information gathered at the sessions will be posted to the DPS website. The department is planning follow-up meetings next year to let residents know how their input was used.