All law enforcement agencies and their communities should increase meaningful police community relations through genuine listening and positive actions, particularly during critical incidents such as police-community deadly force encounters.

EPPD Actions

The Eden Prairie Police Department hosts several community engagement events every year aimed at creating opportunities for positive interactions between residents and officers. These events include Night to Unite, Public Safety Open House, Coffee with the Cops, Shop with a Cop, Kickin’ It with the Cops, Pop-up Splash Pads, Safety Camp, Citizens Academy and Senior Citizens Academy. The Department also consistently engages with the public on various topics using a mix of communication vehicles and social media channels.

Police Department command staff work in conjunction with the City's Public Information Officers to communicate with the public during critical incidents.

State, tribal, and local governments should increase their investment in community-based mental health and trauma-informed services statewide.

EPPD Actions

All Eden Prairie Police officers receive training on implicit bias, as well as training on historical racial trauma from True North.

The Police Department also has a Chaplain program — eight local clergy and lay-people — to provide a non-denominational ministry of presence for residents and officers during and after traumatic incidents.

The Department of Public Safety should take steps to ensure that the families of those involved in police-involved deadly force encounters are treated respectfully, provided timely information on a consistent basis, and given access to appropriate resources and services.

EPPD Actions

No action required of the EPPD.

The Department of Public Safety should work with the chiefs’ and sheriffs’ associations, police unions, local officials, and community representatives to promote more effective models of neighborhood policing that focus on proactive policing and problem-solving through engaging the community rather than responding only to calls for service.

Local law enforcement agencies should seek regular feedback from their communities on their performance, interactions, and treatment through surveys, focus groups, complaint mechanisms, social media platforms, etc.

EPPD Actions

The City of Eden Prairie conducts a biennial Quality of Life Survey which asks residents to rate police services and their overall sense of security.

The Police Department regularly engages with the community on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor.

The Police Department collaborates with the City’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission on Bias Incident Response. It was established as a support network for residents who feel they have been discriminated against or have been victims of bias crimes. When an incident is reported to the Police Department, the Commission is notified and takes action.

The Office of the Attorney General and Department of Public Safety should work with key stakeholders to create a joint permanent component or Office to serve as “Minnesota’s Peacemaker” (similar to the federal Office of Community Relations Services in the U.S. Department of Justice).

The component would have the authority and responsibility to work with communities in conflict by mediating disputes, enhancing community capacity to independently prevent and resolve future conflicts and undertake restorative practices. The Office would work with community groups, public officials, law enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders to promote healing and restoration, resolve community conflicts arising from highly-charged incidents, and prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes involving the targeting of individuals based on their race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

EPPD Actions

No action required of the EPPD.