Spring 2026 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

Thank you, Shakopee! After almost 28 years, I retired at the end of February. For more than 16 of those years I have been fortunate to serve as your Police

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

Chief. I am so proud of the accomplishments this department has made over the last few decades. The thing that stands out the most is the incredible partnerships our department has had with the community. Those partnerships have helped us weather uncertain and tenuous times, helped us recruit and retain staff, and helped us solve and prevent crime. In recent years, Shakopee residents have enjoyed the City’s lowest crime rates in our community’s history. That does not happen without incredible staff and community support. I talk a lot about our staff and how wonderful they are. Many have won state and national recognition for their efforts and services to the community. They have made this job a lot easier, and I am grateful for so many of them. Thank you to our amazing staff. The stories and camaraderie over the years are one of the things I will miss the most. I know that Shakopee is in great hands with the talent that is under this roof. administration and the City Councils we’ve had over the last two decades. While the make-up of the council has changed over those years, we’ve always enjoyed their support. That support has allowed us to take some risks with different programs and initiatives. Those risks have paid off, and the department has been recognized multiple times for innovation and excellence in community policing. None of this happens if we aren’t all working together. Our successes have been your successes. I have seen a lot of changes in this community since 1998 when I started. The things that have not changed are the community and political support, and the wonderful people we continue to hire. I am so excited to see what’s next for the City and department. Thank you everyone for this incredible opportunity you gave me. Thank you for the partnerships, friendships, and for all the love you continue to show this police department. I am forever grateful. Jamie Pearson Speaking of talent, I am very proud and excited for the next police chief, Jamie Pearson. I have seen Jamie’s entire career here in Shakopee and know that the future is bright for both her and the department. I also want to take a moment to thank

Among the department’s most impactful initiatives was Team Up Against Graffiti (TAG), a program that brought officers, residents, and businesses together to remove graffiti and protect public spaces. The effort eventually led to the creation of a mural in the Lewis Street Tunnel, transforming a longtime eyesore into a point of community connection. Tate also championed programs focused on impaired driving prevention and substance use recovery, including Free Sober Ride Home and the Recovery Assistance Program (RAP). The RAP program, the first of its kind in Minnesota, uses private funds to support residents seek ing recovery from substance use disorders and has helped nearly 150 individuals in Shakopee. Another hallmark achievement was Shakopee’s Gift Card Ordinance, the first in the nation aimed at reducing gift card fraud. The initiative earned a national Science and Innovation Award from the FBI National Academy Associates and has significantly reduced fraud locally. Tate’s many recognitions include the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Distinguished Public Leadership Award, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association President’s Award, mul tiple MADD awards, and the PAARI Advocacy and Community Leadership Award in 2025. Despite leading through periods of civil unrest, a global pandemic, evolving community expectations, and a challenging staffing climate, Tate maintained full staffing and steady leadership. Because of that, the past five years have marked the lowest crime rates in the department’s recorded history. When asked what he is most proud of, Tate points not to awards, but to people. “It is the people, past and present, under the police department’s roof who I have worked alongside and who have made these programs come to fruition,” he said. After nearly 17 years as Chief and more than 27 years of service overall, Tate leaves behind a department recognized for professionalism, compassion, and innovation. His career reflects the core values of the Shakopee Police Department: Safety, Honor, Pride, Integrity, and the Golden Rule, “Be nice.” The City of Shakopee thanks Chief Tate for his decades of service and dedication to the community. We wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.

Spring 2026 13