A total of 23 new officers, including the first Somali-American woman and first permanent U.S. resident, were sworn into MPD
 The new Minneapolis police department recruits took their solemn oath to protect and serve at a graduation ceremony held on Sept. 26.
The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) celebrated a class of 23 new officers at a graduation ceremony held Sept. 26. Among the graduating class were two important firsts for the department - first Somali-American woman, Ikran Mohamed, and first permanent United States resident, Lesley Vera, who made history by joining the ranks of MPD.
Mohamed immigrated to the U.S. from Kenya at 10 years old and was a Steele Couty corrections officer before she decided to enroll in the MPD Academy to join the force. Vera, who is a lawful permanent U.S. resident, immigrated from Mexico when she was 4 years old. She first joined MPD as a Community Service Officer and completed her law enforcement degree. Due to a recent state law change, Vera is now able to serve as a police officer.
"It is truly a visible sign of hope and resilience for our city," said MPD Chief Brian O'Hara of the graduating officers. "There are a lot of emotions here tonight. I know this group represents a high level of hope, change and progress."
The graduating class was not only a very diverse group, but it also included multiple family members of current MPD officers. A total of eleven recruits were sworn in, recently graduating from the MPD Academy after months of hard work. Twelve lateral officers joined MPD from other agencies, many of whom have more than a decade of experience in law enforcement. In addition to the 23 MPD officers, four Minneapolis Park Police Officers were sworn in at the ceremony.
As part of an academy tradition, a fallen officer is honored by the graduating individuals by carrying a guide-on bearing the officer's name, badge number, and end-of-watch date. This class of officers chose to honor fallen officer, Jamal Mitchell, who lost his life in the line of duty in May 2024.
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Minneapolis Fire Capt. LeRoy Swenson, a 31-year veteran of the department who lost his life in the line of duty in 1997, was honored at the ceremony
 Minneapolis Fire Department Chief Bryan Tyner (right) and St. Paul Fire Department Chief Butch Inks walk through the processional at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service on Sept. 29.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, the Minneapolis Fire Department joined fire departments from across the state to pay tribute to the firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The 2024 Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service is hosted annually by the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation on the State Capitol grounds to honor and recognize firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As part of the Remembrance Ceremony, Minneapolis Fire Capt. LeRoy Swenson was honored, a 31-year veteran of the department who lost his life in 1997 while assisting with an accident on I-35W.
Together, we thank our Minneapolis firefighters, as well as all first responders, for their dedicated service to the residents of our City.
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On Oct. 7, the Minneapolis City Council Administration and Enterprise Oversight (AEO) Committee received recommendation for the architectural and engineering contractor for the design phase of the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. The first-of-its-kind public building will serve as a shared hub for government and community-based safety services and resources.
Designed based on community feedback, individuals and families will be able to access various services and resources in the future community safety center, which you can read more about on the City's website. The collaborative community space aligns with the greater community safety vision for the City of Minneapolis by providing services and support to residents and visitors in the area.
Following approval from the AEO Committee, the design services contract will move forward after coming to a full City Council vote at the Oct. 17 meeting.
Request for Proposals launched: Seeking services related to advocacy, training to prevent human trafficking
The Office of Community Safety (OCS) launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) process on Oct. 7 to collect bids from community organizations that provide services related to human trafficking. Community organizations that work to provide advocacy and training about preventing, investigating and ending human trafficking are encouraged to apply. Services provided by the organization should include, but not be limited to, advocacy, consulting, professional training, community education, and survivor support to address immediate basic needs and safety.
Securing a contract with a community organization that works to proactively prevent, respond to, and provide restorative services to victims and survivors contributes to city-wide efforts in the fight against human trafficking. The future contractor must be able to operate directly in the community safety center. More information about the RFP is available here. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on Oct. 28.
Stay tuned for community engagement sessions
Community engagement sessions will be held to collect feedback regarding to inform and update the community about the services and resources and timeline for the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center. OCS is currently working with Minneapolis City Council members to schedule in-person events in wards 2, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12. An online engagement opportunity will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming sessions.
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A group of 85 horseback riders will head out on an urban trail ride this Sunday, Oct. 13 alongside 12 members of the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD) Mounted Patrol Unit.
Hosted by the Mounted Patrol Unit and the Minneapolis Mounted Police Foundation, the 8th annual Urban Trail Ride will begin near the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park. The route will head north to the Minnesota Veterans Home and across the river into Saint Paul. Riders will return back into Minneapolis and stop by Minnehaha Falls, then end at the staging area near the dog park. Participation in the event is now sold out, but community members may still see the groups of equestrians as they make their way along the trail.
The MPD Mounted Patrol Unit currently has 24 riders and 12 horses and functions as a citywide unit. More information about the Mounted Police is available on the Minneapolis Mounted Police Foundation's website.
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Learn the basics of emergency preparedness at Ready Camp, hosted by the City of Minneapolis' Emergency Management department, on Oct. 22 and 23. The free two-day training at the Emergency Operations Training Facility will provide you knowledge and skills to build an emergency kit, develop a communication plan, prepare for severe weather emergencies and recovery from an emergency or disaster.
All ages are welcome. Children who are 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is now available on the Eventbrite website. Class capacity is 50 people. View the Ready Camp flyer for additional information.
Please note: The event location has been updated and will now be hosted at the Emergency Operations Training Facility, 25 37th Ave NE, Minneapolis.
Questions about Ready Camp can be directed to LaVina Branscomb, Emergency Management communication and outreach coordinator, at lavina.branscomb@minneapolismn.gov.
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If you’ve never voted before and need to register, now is the perfect time. If it’s been more than four years since you last voted, or you’ve moved or changed your name since you last registered, you’ll also need to re-register.
Register ahead of time
You can register to vote online. You can use this same registration link to update your current name or address on your registration.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail can now sign up using the voter registration application to have a mail ballot sent to their residence for all future elections. On either the paper or online application, select “I request to have an absentee ballot mailed to the address where I live (residence) before each election in which I am eligible to vote.”
Unsure if you are registered at your current address? You can use the online lookup tool to check your registration.
Register when you vote
You can also register to vote in person when you vote early or vote on Election Day.
You will need to show proof of residence. Certain types of ID can be your proof of residence, but there are other options that don't require an ID. Be sure to read all your options and come prepared.
The Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services Division is responsible for administering elections in the City of Minneapolis. For information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, visit the City website.
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One-day early voting events planned for 11 locations
Minneapolis residents can visit one of our 11 one-day pop-up early voting locations to cast their ballot. Each of these sites is open one day only between Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Nov. 1. Find pop-up voting locations, dates and other details on the City website.
OCS In the News
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