Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety
Ramona Dohman
Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts
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Brief overview of 3 branches of Government
What is your role in the process
Who are your Legislators
MCPA’s role in the Process
Roles of the Commissioner of Public Safety
and the Governor
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Legislative Branch – The Lawmakers
• Introduce and study ideas (bills) for laws (all
revenue-raising bills begin in the House)
• Serve on standing committees
• Pass state laws (all bills must pass both the House
and the Senate
• Pass the state’s biennial (two-year) budget
• Can override governor’s veto (requires two-thirds
vote in both House and Senate
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Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Court
Conciliation Court
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Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
State Auditor
State Departments and Agencies
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Subject Matter Expert
In your Community
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Facilitate
Communications
In the L.E Community
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City Council
MN House of Rep
MN Senate
Legislative Districts
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Know what your City Allows
◦ What can you comment on Publically
◦ Is it Consistent with your Community Legislative
Agenda?
 Actively
Lead/Support
• Seek authors from House and Senate
• Testify at Committee meetings and Hearings
 Support
 Monitor
 Neutral
 Oppose
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Educate them on the issue…
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What’s your story? (ALPR success narrative)
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1400 bills introduced in each body
Education, transportation, health care, pub.
safety
At the mercy of lobbyist, advocates and
activists
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A lot of duplication of your work
House
Public
Safety
House
Civil Law
and Data
Practices
Senate
Judiciary
Senate
Transportation
and Public
Safety
Full
House
Vote
Full
Senate
Vote
Conference
Committee
Back to each
chamber
Governor’s
Signature
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Governor
Executive responsibilities
◦ Administer laws and affairs of the state
◦ Appoint heads of departments and agencies
◦ Act as commander-in-chief of state military forces
Legislative Responsibilities
◦ Inform Legislature of condition of the state
◦ Propose a state budget
◦ Review bills the Legislature passes – approve (sign) or reject (veto)
Judicial responsibilities
◦ Appoint judges to fill vacancies in district, appellate and supreme
courts
◦ Can issue pardons and reprieves, restore civil rights to felons
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Lt. Governor, responsibilities
◦ represent the Governor
◦ assume governor’s responsibilities in governor’s absence or if a
vacancy occurs
◦ assume duties governor assigns
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State Departments/Agency responsibilities
◦ 24 executive departments
◦ Governor appoints the head (commissioner) of each department
◦ Confirmed by Senate
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Department of Public Safety – Mission
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is
committed to protecting citizens and
communities through activities that promote and
support prevention, preparedness, response,
recovery, education and enforcement. These
objectives are achieved through a focus on
saving lives, providing efficient and effective
services, maintaining public trust, and
developing strong partnerships
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Public safety is the core function of
Government
The Commissioner serves as the unifying
figurehead of the Minnesota public safety
community and liaison with affiliated
personnel and agencies at the local, state,
and federal levels.
Need for effective coalition building,
nonpartisanship, and relationship-credibility
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Automated License Plate Readers – MCPA recommends taking an active role leading the adoption of legislation that outlines
clear state policy regarding use of LPR data, specific policies that limit access to the data and a reasonable data retention
period.
Safe Driving/diversion Programs – MCPA recommends crafting legislation that ensures a traffic diversion program truly
addresses changing driver behavior a through sound, structured and consistent education component, thus preventing
future traffic violations and making roads safer. We also recommend diversion legislation not be a revenue instrument but a
policy that promotes traffic safety in our communities.
Body Cams/Privacy – The MCPA will provide legislative recommendations on current data practices law that require all video
captured by police body cameras be “public.”
However, we are concerned about protecting the privacy of individuals, including crime victims and minors, in highly
sensitive situations, especially in locations where there has traditionally been an expectation of privacy. Of most concern is
video captured inside an individual’s residence. The MCPA is supportive of any changes to Chapter 13 that would classify
this data as non-‐public.
The legislature should consider the following sensitive situations when data is collected by a body camera and the
classification:
 Data collected while within private places and spaces
 Data collected in response to a domestic assault, sexual assault, or a mental health crisis
 Data collected that documents statements or activities of minors
 Data collected while at a hospital or similar health care facility
 Data collected while at an elementary or secondary school
 Bulk, blanket or standing data requests
 Data collected that documents information or a “tip” provided to law enforcement
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The legislature should also consider local data retention schedules as municipalities have varying retention schedules,
oversight committees, citizen involvement, and review protocol to consider.
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Financial Crimes Task Force funding – We will support legislation to increase funding to the task force.
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Traveling Data – We recommend continued support of making non-‐public data that has been provided as intelligence by other law enforcement agencies
to law enforcement in Minnesota.
DWI Forfeiture – We recommend continued support of current forfeiture statutes, including DWI forfeiture laws. We would oppose any legislation calling to
eliminate DWI forfeiture and/or prohibit forfeiture if the person goes on ignition interlock.
Funding for CIT Training – We will support legislation that would help fund CIT training for law enforcement agencies across the state.
1033 Military Surplus (federal or state legislation) – We support formal reviews of the process by which local law enforcement agencies receive and return
military surplus equipment through the 1033 program. We would oppose any legislation that discontinues the program.
Handgun Purchase Permit Fees – MCPA supports a $25 fee for the handgun purchase permit if broader firearms legislation arises.
Animal abuse – MCPA supports legislation that creates stronger penalties for animal abusers due to the direct relationship between animal and domestic
abuse. The MCPA will also support legislation calling for more training and resources for law enforcement on this issue.
Cathy’s Law – Initially passed in New Jersey, it would ban first responders from sharing photos or videos of accident victims without their consent. We
would support such legislation
Ignition Interlock for all DWI offenses – We will not oppose legislation that would require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlock devices over
license revocation.
Marijuana – We will oppose legislation that legalizes recreational use of marijuana. We will oppose changes to marijuana’s schedule 1 classification, until
research data from Minnesota’s Department of Health determines the effectiveness of MM in Minnesota. And, we will oppose expansion of the current
medical marijuana law to include plant material or additional qualifying medical conditions.
Larger Trucks/trailers – MCPA will monitor any legislative efforts that would result in allowing longer or heavier trucks or trailers on state, county or
federal roadways in Minnesota.
Immediate disclosure of Preliminary Breathe Test (PBT) results – We will monitor legislation that requires a peace officer that administers a PBT to
immediately disclose the results to either the driver or the driver’s counsel.
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Mandatory reporting for health workers – MCPA will monitor legislation that would require health workers report assaults to law
enforcement.
Animal abuse – MCPA supports legislation that creates stronger penalties for animal abusers due to the direct relationship between
animal and domestic abuse. The MCPA will also support legislation calling for more training and resources for law enforcement on this
issue.
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Cathy’s Law – Initially passed in New Jersey, it would ban first responders from sharing photos or videos of accident victims without their
consent. We would support such legislation
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Ignition Interlock for all DWI offenses – We will not oppose legislation that would require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition
interlock devices over license revocation.
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Marijuana – We will oppose legislation that legalizes recreational use of marijuana. We will oppose changes to marijuana’s schedule 1
classification, until research data from Minnesota’s Department of Health determines the effectiveness of MM in Minnesota. And, we will
oppose expansion of the current medical marijuana law to include plant material or additional qualifying medical conditions .
Larger Trucks/trailers – MCPA will monitor any legislative efforts that would result in allowing longer or heavier trucks or trailers on state,
county or federal roadways in Minnesota.
Immediate disclosure of Preliminary Breathe Test (PBT) results – We will monitor legislation that requires a peace officer that administers
a PBT to immediately disclose the results to either the driver or the driver’s counsel.
Mandatory reporting for health workers – MCPA will monitor legislation that would require health workers report assaults to law
enforcement.
School Safety Levy Money – We would support legislation that requires schools to come to the table w/local LE and come to an agreement
about what’s
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Questions and comments