Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for Participation in the Violent Crime Reduction Unit
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55106 for participation in the Violent Crime Reduction Unit upon execution through three (3) years from the fully executed agreement.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
3. Approve an increase in the personnel complement of the Sheriff’s Office by 1.0 Full Time Equivalent Deputy Sheriff.
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Background and Rationale
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The state of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is establishing the Violent Crime Reduction Unit. As a statewide team, the Violent Crime Reduction Unit is an interagency collaborative approach to reducing and preventing violent crime, which focuses on gun violence and firearms crimes; crimes against the person, including homicides, assaults, carjackings, and other violent crimes; street racing and automobile theft; and the apprehension of dangerous fugitives. The Violent Crime Reduction Unit also engages in public awareness, outreach, and prevention efforts with the community.
For reference, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), requested funding from the legislature for “a new statewide initiative to utilize partnerships with BCA leadership to address violent crime as it ebbs and flows across the state of Minnesota.” The state recognized “the current challenges with police staffing” and “this initiative would combine fulltime BCA agents, analysts, and other personnel to provide assistance to communities combatting violent crime through an information driven approach to precisely target only those who are committing violent acts in those communities.” Funding is provided to support personnel assigned to this initiative.
Participation in the task force allows the Sheriff’s Office to work together with federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to prevent, investigate, and prosecute violent crimes. Task force participation also provides reimbursement from the state for personnel costs as outlined in the Joint Powers Agreement.
A Joint Powers Agreement, as permitted under Minnesota Statutes 471.59, is required for participation. The term of the agreement is upon final execution through three (3) years from the fully executed agreement.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Violent Crime Reduction Unit was established in response to increases in violent crime, including murder, assaults, gun violence, and carjackings. This is a new task force and reporting will occur related to programmatic outcomes. Participation in the task force ensures justice for victims of crime victims, including individuals from traditionally disadvantaged or marginalized communities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community engagement for this Joint Powers Agreement.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no impact to the county’s property tax levy. Reimbursement from the state is provided for personnel costs as outlined in the Joint Powers Agreement, including full salary and fringe costs as well as overtime costs up to $21,000. In 2024, the estimated reimbursement is $150,000, which will cover the costs associated with a deputy sheriff assigned to this team.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement