Shakopee Police Department 2020 Annual Report

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Investigations The Shakopee Police Department’s investigations unit includes one sergeant, three detectives, a tribal liaison detective, investigative assistant and a victim and community services coordinator. Investigations partners with officers and civilian staff in the proactive and community services division. The two divisions often work together.

By Sgt. Jamie Pearson

CASE CLEARANCE RATES

2016 2017 2018 2019

Shakopee Police Department

54% 49% 47% 50%

Average for Minnesota Urban Communities

44% 44% 45% 46%

Detectives are responsible for a caseload assigned by the sergeant. As part of their caseloads, they process crime scenes; gather evidence; conduct interviews of victims, witnesses and suspects; and present all evidence to the Scott County Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The nature of criminal cases investigated run the spectrum of property and person crimes and are most often generated at the patrol level. Detectives also participate in many inter-jurisdictional criminal justice teams. As a team effort, detectives are also called to assist other law enforcement agencies with their investigations. In 2020, the investigations division worked on many financial crimes cases including mail theft, unauthorized credit card use, check forgery and identity theft. The investigations unit had an unusually large number of unemployment fraud cases. Detectives partnered with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, as well as Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, in an attempt to further identify suspects in these cases. Detectives work diligently to obtain successful prosecution on every case they are assigned. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an overall slower year. Detective’s worked 482 cases in 2020, which is significantly lower than 2019 (631). A case highlight from May 2020 includes the successful prosecution of an aggravated robbery and receiving stolen property case. The suspect robbed a taxicab driver and stole the taxicab. During the robbery, the suspect ran the victim over with the taxicab causing serious injury. The suspect fled the scene in the stolen taxicab. Through teamwork and perseverance, the suspect was located and apprehended two days after the robbery. He pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 93 months in prison.

Tribal Liaison

By Det. Nicki Marquardt

The Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) have an ongoing partnership that includes a tribal liaison program. Over the years, the tribal liaison program has built a strong working relationship between the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. In addition to the close working relationship with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the tribal liaison works closely with the tribal liaison from the Prior Lake Police Department as the community lies within the boundaries of both Shakopee and Prior Lake. The tribal liaison communicates with SMSC staff on a regular basis to discuss community events and activities. The tribal liaison usually attends annual SMSC events such as the Wacipi (PowWow) and Night to Unite where the liaison is able to interact with the SMSC members, staff and visitors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those events were canceled in 2020 and everyone looks forward to their return in 2021. The tribal liaison program has been well received by both the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community members and staff. Nicki Marquardt held the position from 2013-20. In August 2020, JeffWyckoff became the new tribal liaison.

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Investigations/Tribal Liaison