Minneapolis Police Department Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Minneapolis Police Department
Abbreviation	MPD
Motto	"To Protect with Courage, To Serve with Compassion!"
Agency overview
Formed	1867
Preceding agency	Municipal Police
Employees	1,100
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Map of Minneapolis Police Department's jurisdiction
Size	58.4 square miles (151 km²)
Population	424,256 (2020)
Governing body	Minneapolis City Council
General nature	Local civilian police
Operational structure
Overviewed by Civilian Board	Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority Board
Headquarters	Downtown Minneapolis City Hall
Police Officers	800
Civilians	300
Agency executives	Medaria Arradondo, Chief of Police Mike Kjos, Assistant Chief 4 Deputy Chiefs, Deputy Chief of Patrol, Deputy Chief of Investigations, Deputy Chief of Professional Standards, Deputy Chief of Staff 5 Precinct Commanders, Inspector
Units	List Bomb-Arson Business Technology Canine Community Crime Prevention / Safety For Everyone (CCP/SAFE) Homeland Security Internal Affairs Investigations Minneapolis Police Reserve Mounted Patrol Police Activities League (PAL) Special Events/Reserve Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Strategic Operations Unit Traffic Enforcement and Accident Investigation Traffic Control Training
Precincts	List 1st Precinct 2nd Precinct 3rd Precinct 4th Precinct 5th Precinct
Facilities
Stations, Substations, and Safety Centers	9
Helicopters	Available from the Minnesota State Patrol
Website
Minneapolis Police

The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) is the main police force for the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It helps keep the city safe and follows the laws. The MPD started in 1867. This makes it one of the oldest police departments in Minnesota. The Saint Paul Police Department is even older, formed in 1854.

The MPD has over 800 officers and 300 other staff members. They work from four main police stations called precincts. Their motto is "To Protect with Courage, To Serve with Compassion!"

What Police Do in Minneapolis
- Keeping the Community Safe
- How the MPD is Organized
History of the Minneapolis Police
- Early Days of the MPD
- Changes Over Time
Images for kids
See also

What Police Do in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Police Department works to keep people safe. They respond to calls for help. They also make sure that people follow the rules and laws.

Keeping the Community Safe

Police officers help in many ways. They patrol neighborhoods to prevent problems. They also respond quickly when someone needs help. This includes helping with accidents or other emergencies.

How the MPD is Organized

The MPD has different teams and units. Each team focuses on a special job. This helps the department work smoothly.

Police Officers and Staff

The MPD has two main types of employees. There are about 800 sworn officers. These officers have the power to make arrests. There are also about 300 civilian staff members. They help with many important tasks behind the scenes.

Police Precincts

The city of Minneapolis is divided into areas. Each area has its own police station, called a precinct. This helps officers know their local communities better. The MPD has four main precincts.

Special Police Units

The MPD has many special teams. These teams handle specific situations.

Canine Unit: Uses trained dogs to help officers.
Mounted Patrol: Officers on horseback, often seen at events.
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT): A team for very serious situations.
Traffic Enforcement: Helps manage traffic and investigate accidents.
Community Crime Prevention: Works with neighborhoods to stop crime.

History of the Minneapolis Police

The Minneapolis Police Department has a long history. It has been serving the city for over 150 years.

Early Days of the MPD

The department was officially formed in 1867. Before that, the city had a "Municipal Police" group. The MPD grew as Minneapolis became a bigger city.

Changes Over Time

The way police work has changed a lot. In the past, officers might have patrolled on horses. Today, they use cars, bikes, and other modern tools. The department always works to improve how it serves the community.