FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn — City councils in Falcon Heights and St. Anthony Village will host a joint workshop at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, to discuss a possible police partnership that would begin in 2025.
Falcon Heights is currently receiving law enforcement services via the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, but city officials say the contract will end on Dec. 31.
Falcon Heights has contracted with Ramsey County for police services since 2018.
From 1994 to 2017, Falcon Heights received police services through St. Anthony Village, and city officials are considering the possibility of renewing that old partnership.
Falcon Heights City Administrator Jack Linehan says the contract between the two cities was terminated in 2017, shortly after Philando Castile was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop.
“That was probably the event that, after that, it really put a challenge on our relationship at that time,” Linehan says.
Since that partnership ended, Linehan says the St. Anthony Police Department has made significant improvements that fit the needs of the Falcon Heights community.
“They have really adopted a lot of new policies, new procedures since our contract had ended. In 2019, they re-did their entire operations manual for all officers. They have undergone significant training and some of the direction of the department really excites us,” Linehan says.
Adding, “Understandably, the thought of a partnership will raise concerns and painful memories of the killing of Philando Castile in our city. As we discuss a potential relationship, it’s imperative that we recognize Philando and the impact his killing had on all of us.”
St. Anthony Village City Manager Charlie Yunker says he is open to a police partnership with Falcon Heights.
“Our officers were proud to previously serve the Falcon Heights community for more than 20 years, and given the size and location of our two communities, it makes sense to explore a renewed partnership with Falcon Heights,” Yunker says.
Jim Mortenson with Minnesota Law Enforcement Labor Services says these types of partnerships are becoming more common due to a shortage of officers.
“We’re in a critical issue right now,” Mortenson says.
He says larger cities and counties have increased their wages and benefits to attract candidates and many of the smaller communities don't have the funding to stay competitive.
"If you look around our state, we're about 1,000 officers-plus down, and we don't put out that many in a year's time. We just don’t have the candidates,” Mortenson says.
According to state policing officials, 25 police departments in Minnesota have closed since 2016.
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