Shakopee Police Department 2025 Annual Report

TRIBAL LIAISON

By Detective Mike Santos

Since the establishment of the tribal liaison program in 2013, the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) have developed a collaborative and productive partnership. The program has played a key role in building trust, improving communication, and strengthening cooperation between the two entities. This partnership demonstrates a shared dedication to respectful collaboration and transparent dialogue in support of community needs. Beyond the close coordination with SMSC, the department’s tribal liaison also maintains professional working relationships with the Prior Lake Police Department’s tribal liaison and with SMSC Conservation Officers, further supporting coordinated public safety efforts. During 2025, the Shakopee Police Department handled 224 calls for service related to assisting the SMSC. SMSC hosted its annual Wacipi (Pow Wow) from August 15 through August 17 at the SMSC Pow Wow grounds. Favorable weather throughout the three-day event contributed to strong attendance, with thousands of participants traveling The Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) is a specialized plain-clothes enforcement unit dedicated to addressing priority criminal activity and emerging crime trends within the community. Staffed by highly trained SWAT officers, the unit focuses on street-level crimes and developing criminal patterns that pose immediate threats to public safety. PPU plays a critical role in locating and apprehending wanted individuals, identifying criminal suspects, and targeting offenses such as retail theft, violent crime, narcotics trafficking, and burglaries. By operating proactively rather than reactively, the unit is able to identify, disrupt, and deter criminal activity before it escalates. Throughout the year, the Proactive Policing Unit issued 111 citations, made 136 arrests, and authored 17 search warrants in support of active investigations. In addition to its local impact, PPU serves as a valuable regional resource, routinely assisting neighboring law enforcement agencies with suspect identification and the sharing of actionable intelligence. In 2025 alone, PPU reviewed crime alerts for other agencies when suspects could not be identified and, through investigative follow-up, successfully identified suspects in 66 separate

from the local area and across the nation. Additionally, SMSC held a winter Wacipi (Pow Wow) on February 7 and 8 at the Hocokata Ti Cultural Center. Overall, the tribal liaison program continues to receive positive support from both Shakopee Police Department personnel and SMSC members and staff. Detective Mike Santos has served as the department’s tribal liaison since August 2025.

From left, Director of SMSC Conservation Enforcement Frank Taylor, Shakopee Police Detective Mike Santos, and Director of Hocokata Ti Andy Vig.

PROACTIVE POLICING

By Sergeant Josh Davis

cases—providing critical assistance to law enforcement partners across the state of Minnesota. PPU also played a significant role in removing illegal drugs from the community. The unit seized substantial quantities of methamphetamine, MDMA, fentanyl, cocaine, and unlawfully possessed prescription medications. These efforts were further strengthened through close collaboration with the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force, allowing for enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement strategies. One of the unit’s most notable investigations in 2025 stemmed from a shooting incident. PPU worked tirelessly to identify and locate the suspects, dedicating nearly 20 consecutive hours to the case. Through coordinated efforts with multiple law enforcement agencies, the suspect vehicle was located, leading to a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 494. All three suspects were ultimately apprehended, and officers recovered three firearms along with a significant quantity of narcotics. Due to the diligence and persistence of PPU investigators, the suspects were brought to justice less than 24 hours following the initial shooting.

14 | Shakopee Police Department