​​​​​​​​​​​​​Blog Archive: February 2023​

​ Force Investigations Unit brings unbiased perspective to complex situations

Feb. 27

When a law enforcement officer uses force, the aftermath is chaotic. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) created the Force Investigations Unit (FIU) to help communities and law enforcement make sense of what happened. Local agencies call in the FIU for a fair and unbiased...

​​​​​​​​Now is the time for homeowners to consider flood insurance

Feb. 23

Even with all the snow we received this winter — and this week — there is some good news in the initial outlook for spring flooding in Minnesota. According to the Twin Cities National Weather Service's latest forecast: It's looking to be a near normal year for flooding. However, heavy snow...

​​​Be prepare​d as incoming historic winter storm hits Minnesota

Feb. 21

Don't let the warm-up last week fool you: Winter's not over yet. We will see a historic winter storm this week with total accumulations of 15 to 25 inches of snow ​in east central Minnesota, according to the Twin Cities National Weather Service...

​​​​​​Missing and Murd​ered African American Women Task Force aims to end violence

Feb. 16​​

As we celebrate the contributions African American people have made this Black History Month, we at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) are also thinking of the ways we can better serve African American communities in Minnesota. Too often the lives of African American women...

​​​​​Minnesota State Patrol thanks heroes in the right place to save lives

Feb. 13

Those recognized at the Minnesota State Patrol Awards ceremony last week include Minnesotans from all walks of life: troopers, officers from partner agencies, civilian employees and good Samaritans who were in the right place at the right time. However, they have one thing in common...

​​​​DVS expands or​al exams for standard driver’s licenses

Feb. 10

As Minnesota has welcomed Afghans and Ukrainians to our state, some things have become clear. Among them: Plenty of people know how to drive safely, but struggle with the written English portion of the Class D knowledge test required to get a standard Minnesota driver's license...

​​​​​​​BCA: Parents, talk to your kids to protect against financial sextortion

Feb. 8

It's a parent's worst nightmare: A few weeks ago, a Minnesota mom watched her son walk into the room and tell her his life was over. ​“He was so scared and, I think, shocked by the whole thing that he couldn't get the words out. After a few minutes, he was able to tell us that he​...

​​​​AGED ensures we can enjoy a cold beer or friendly wager safely

Feb. 6

Having a cold drink at a bar or playing some rounds on the slot machines at the casino can be a fun way to relax and have a good time. Minnesotans can enjoy either one confidently and safely thanks to our Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED). AGED oversees...​

​Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office shines light on epidemic of violence

Feb. 2

When a loved one goes missing, the fear and grief can be overwhelming. For Minnesota's Indigenous population, that pain is compounded by an epidemic of violence faced by their communities. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office in our Office of Justice...​

More: January Blogs​​​