The VCRU builds on the successes of previous BCA initiatives, working with local partners across the state to reduce crime using a three-pronged approach: arresting repeat violent offenders, confiscating guns and pulling drugs off the street.

“We can follow the criminals, guns and drugs wherever they go and pull them off the street before they can be used in a crime or hurt someone," said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. “We are proud to stand up this new unit and have them get to work on making Minnesota safer."

The VCRU will expand upon the successes of the Violent Crime Reduction Support Initiative (VCRSI) launched in April 2022, which used a targeted approach and local partnerships to step up the fight against violent crime.

The initiative was created to provide strategic resources including agents, criminal intelligence analysts and forensic scientists to support our local partners, who were seeing a spike in violent crime while also facing staffing shortages. The results are clear: It's a remarkable success. From April 2022 through December 2023, the initiative, in conjunction with local partners, led to 1,384 arrests and confiscated:

• 653 firearms
• 145,070 fentanyl pills
• 220 pounds of meth
• Large quantities of other drugs including cocaine, heroin and MDMA

The VCRU lets the BCA keep delivering results to Minnesotans. Our agents and criminal intelligence analysts are leveraging partnerships with local agencies across Minnesota to combat violent crime throughout the state. It allows law enforcement officers from many different jurisdictions to pool their resources to make each of their communities safer. The new unit launched in January 2024 and has already been making a positive impact. So far in 2024, the unit has led to the arrest of 112 wanted criminals and confiscated:

• 66 firearms
• 2,650 fentanyl pills
• 9.2 pounds of meth

The VCRU will include 17 BCA agents, one firearms detection K-9, two criminal intelligence analysts, two crime victim/witness coordinators and task force officers from a dozen local partner agencies. They will work out of a new, centralized location that will allow the unit to respond quickly in support of local partners in the Twin Cities Metro Area and beyond.

The agencies that will have officers and deputies assigned to the VCRU include the Ramsey and Anoka County sheriff's offices and the Fridley, St. Louis Park, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Roseville and Robbinsdale police departments.

“We are grateful to our local partners for their willingness to tackle this issue with us and look forward to seeing the continued success this unit will achieve," said Evans.

Learn more about the BCA's Investigative Services division.​