About the Department

The Police Department currently has 52 sworn budgeted positions in the following capacities: 

• • Police chief
  • 2 captains
  • 9 sergeants
  • 30 patrol officers
  • 3 investigators
  • Drug Task Force investigator
  • Tribal liaison officer
  • 3 school resource officers
  • 2 Proactive Policing Unit officers

Civilian employees include:

• • Records staff
  • Crime prevention specialist
  • Victim and community services coordinator
  • Investigative assistant
  • Community service officer
  • Code compliance specialist
  • Evidence technician
  • Administrative assistant
  • Receptionist

• The Patrol Division is the largest unit in the Police Department. Currently, 30 officers and seven sergeants are assigned to this important facet. Patrol officers are responsible for the most visible police service provided in the community as officers respond to emergencies such as crimes in progress, traffic crashes and medical emergencies. They also handle initial investigations of crimes, help resolve disputes and disturbances, and provide various community services. No matter what the incident, patrol officers handle most arrests and calls for service. Officers patrol the city and respond to calls 24 hours a day.
• The Patrol Division operates most of the time in marked patrol cars. Each is equipped with a radar unit that is capable of monitoring traffic speeds while the squad car is moving or parked. They are also equipped with first aid equipment, fire extinguishers, medical oxygen, external defibrillators and assorted crime scene equipment. Each squad car has a laptop computer, which enables the officers to receive calls, perform checks on persons, property, car registrations, and many other items. The computers can also be used to send messages car-to-car, or car-to-dispatcher that cannot be monitored by the public. The computers have the capability to access department files and type reports.

• The Investigations Division is responsible for investigating most felony, some gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor crimes within the city. This includes assaults, robberies and other personal crimes. They also investigate property crimes such as thefts, burglary, fraud and worthless check cases.
• The detectives process evidence and crime scenes. In addition, Shakopee detectives participate in several regional investigative networks to try to spot trends and use other departments’ information to help solve local crimes.
• The investigative assistant is a civilian position that assists the Investigations Division by performing administrative, clerical and analytical support services. The civilian position works with investigators and other police and support staff members to ensure an accurate, consistent and collaborative workflow process.

• In addition to investigation duties, the tribal liaison also serves as liaison for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). The tribal liaison conducts a variety of investigations to determine responsibility for criminal acts with focus on service to the SMSC. The Tribal Liaison assists the SMSC in both criminal and non-criminal matters on and off tribal land. This is position was developed in August 2013 as a partnership between the SMSC and the Shakopee Police Department.

• Three officers are assigned as school resource officers (SROs) during the school year – one at Shakopee West Junior High, one at Shakopee East Junior High and one at Shakopee Senior High. SROs investigate crimes that occur at the school or may involve students as suspects, victims or witnesses. SROs work with school staff and other community resources to help solve problems involving students. As a partner in the school community, they provide a valuable resource to students, staff and the police department.
• SROs also assist school administrators in writing policies about truancy or items that are banned from school grounds. The SROs may also assist the administrators in keeping up to date on local, state, and federal laws as they pertain to the school. The SROs play a role in assisting students with certain topics they may be learning about in school, such as civil rights, gun control and career choices.

• The Southwest Metro Drug Task Force is responsible for investigating felony level narcotics crimes, gang activity and other felony-level criminal activity in Scott, Carver and McLeod counties.  The task force is currently made up of five members assigned from different agencies within the three counties.  Agents are currently assigned to the Task Force from Hutchinson, Carver County, Scott County and Shakopee. Agents have a variety of tools at their disposal for investigating narcotics offenses. Three of the most common types are undercover investigations, informant operations and citizen tips. If you have information for the Task Force, the tip line can be reached at 952-361-6900.
• Drug Task Force 2025 Meeting Notice

• The community service officer position assists with data entry, responds to calls involving concerns with city ordinances and provides a resource for community relations. This is a civilian position.
• The code compliance specialist is responsible for responding to concerns with city ordinances. This is also a civilian position.

• The duties of the crime prevention specialist include working as the liaison between the police department and multi-family housing managers, implementing and sustaining prevention programs within the community, managing the department's social media presence and reducing crime through statistical and trend analysis.
• The police department provides the following crime prevention services and programs: Night to Unite, Crime Free Multi-Housing, MN Crime Alert Network, Safety Camp, residential and business premise surveys and various community education presentations. For more information on department programs, contact 952-233-9441.

• The Records Division consists of the records supervisor, one records specialist, three records technicians and one receptionist. Records staff is responsible for processing all cases, providing customer service, responding to requests for records, updating and maintaining information within databases and managing records, as well as providing support to the other divisions. Records staff is available to assist the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

• The evidence technician manages evidence that goes in and out of the Police Department along with documenting the chain of custody for each item. Responsibilities include checking items in and out of the evidence room, taking evidence to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) lab for testing, copying surveillance for attorney review, returning found property to owners along with purging old evidence that is no longer needed.

• In 2015, the department created the civilian staff position to assist crime victims in responding to the impact of crime by providing resources, information and support. The coordinator can provide victims with information on the status of a criminal investigation or charge, address safety concerns, and provide referrals to support services, programs and funding. The coordinator also partners with the crime prevention specialist as a community liaison with various groups, organizations, businesses and service providers.