Shakopee Police Department 2025 Annual Report

DWI OFFICER

By Sergeant Nick Bengtson

Keeping Shakopee’s roads safe is one of the most visible and important functions of a police department. This takes focus, consistency, and strong partnerships. One of the many strong partnerships continues to be with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. Since 2022, the Shakopee Police Department has received annual grant funding to fully support a dedicated DWI Traffic Safety Officer. The 2025 grant award totaled approximately $139,922, resulting in a roughly $13,000 increase from the previous fiscal year. These grant dollars cover the officer’s benefits and hourly wage, allowing the City of Shakopee to maintain a high-impact traffic safety position without placing additional financial burden on the taxpayers. For the 2025 fiscal cycle, Officer Colin Meinders fulfilled the duties of this position, succeeding Officers Predovich and Wiseman. It is of note that the federal fiscal year operates between October and September; however, this report will reflect the 2025 calendar year. While serving in the DWI traffic safety officer position, Officer Meinders utilized an unmarked police patrol car. This vehicle has proven to be an effective tool in interdicting criminal and aggressive driving behaviors. Officer Meinders continued with the schedule flexibility, working most nights and weekends. This flexibility allowed Officer Meinders to align his educational and enforcement efforts with statistically higher impaired driving times. Officer Meinders’ efforts in 2025 resulted in the following: ■ 1,332 traffic stops resulting in around two stops per hour during open log hours ■ 72 arrests, 61 of which were for DWI ■ 218 citations issued ■ Over 1,100 traffic violation warnings issued ■ 76 citations issued for driving on a revoked, suspended, or cancelled license

Some numerical statistics increased from 2024. This can be due to many factors including scheduling, focused enforcement efforts, and experience. No matter the metrics, we are proud to see a successful program that is not only educating the motoring public but keeping the public safe from impaired drivers. The Shakopee Police Department continues to remind the community that you could be arrested for driving under the influence of substances other than alcohol. Of the 61 Driving While Intoxicated arrests under this position, eight were for suspected controlled substances. Although this was not tracked as easily during previous years, we believe it to be directly correlated with the misunderstandings of the new controlled substance laws. Rest assured, officers are continuing to engage in educational campaigns. In 2024, the Shakopee Police Department arrested or charged 251 suspects with Driving While Impaired (DWI). In 2025, the Shakopee Police Department as a whole arrested or charged 303 suspects with DWI, resulting in a 20.72% increase in the amount of Driving While Intoxicated arrests as compared to 2024. Officer Meinders’ dedication to keeping our roads safe has certainly contributed to the ongoing success of this program. The Shakopee Police Department is grateful to have been awarded yet another continuation of this grant partnership through 2026. Beginning in January 2026, Officer Dahl will take over the duties and responsibility of this position for 2027. This position is overseen by Sergeant Nick Bengtson, who ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. Additional oversight is provided by a grant coordinator with the Office of Traffic Safety and finance personnel from both the City of Shakopee and the State of Minnesota, ensuring responsible grant application.

Officer Meinders served as the DWI Traffic Safety Officer for the 2025 fiscal cycle.

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