IV.5. Approval to Enter into the West Metro Drug Task Force Co-operative Agreement; Johnson
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2023-121
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Brent Johnson, Police Chief
Date: November 14, 2023
Subject: Approval to Enter into the West Metro Drug Task Force Co-operative
Agreement
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO enter into the West Metro Drug Task Force Co-operative Agreement.
OVERVIEW
The Hopkins Police Department has been a part of the Southwest Hennepin Drug Task
Force for many years. Some changes have occurred with future funding of the unit. We
have been able to apply for grant funding this upcoming year, which will allow for future
stability in funding, while combining the SWDTF and WMDTF into one unit. Historically,
these two task forces have been primarily reliant on seizure funds for operations.
However, in recent years, both state and federal governments have sought to restrict or
even eliminate such seizures.
Last year, a metro-area task force dissolved due to staffing issues within its partner
agencies. This task force had been partially funded by the Office of Justice Programs
(OJP) under the Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) grant program. Members of
the VCET grant program compete for state funds to support their task forces. As a
condition of receiving these funds, these task forces are subject to increased state
oversight.
This merger aims to enhance the longevity and efficacy of the task force by diversifying
funding sources and introducing new levels of oversight and transparency. The
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office also supports this merger and is assigning a
Lieutenant in addition to the two existing Sergeants to oversee the task force. This
increases the number of supervisory roles overseeing the day-to-day operation of the
merged task force.
Furthermore, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is committing a Senior County
Attorney to split their time between the WMDTF and the Hennepin County Violent
Offender Task Force. This attorney's role will be multifaceted: assisting detectives in
reviewing search warrants and report writing, observing search warrant executions, and
ensuring adherence to the latest case law and statutory requirements. This partnership
is intended not only to strengthen case development for successful prosecutions but
also to enrich the investigative capabilities that detectives can take back to their home
agencies, thereby improving overall departmental operations.
Police Department
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Amended and Restated West Metro Drug Task Force Agreement
WEST METRO DRUG TASK FORCE CO-OPERATIVE AGREEMENT
The following city was unanimously voted to become a member of the Hennepin County
West Metro Drug Task Force on Thursday, October 12th, 2023, by the WMDTF Governing
Board.
CITY OF HOPKINS, MN
The HOPKINS City Council duly approved this Agreement on the ______ day of
______________, 2023.
City of HOPKINS
By: _________________________
Its Mayor
And by: ______________________
Its City Manager
Approved as to form
and legality:
___________________________
HOPKINS City Attorney