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Policies
Asset Forfeiture
The Burnsville Police Department recognizes that appropriately applied forfeiture laws are helpful to enforce the law, deter crime and reduce the economic incentive of crime. However, the potential of revenue shall not be allowed to jeopardize the effective investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, officer safety, the integrity of ongoing investigations or the due process rights of citizens.
Bias-Based Policing
The Burnsville Police Department is committed to providing law enforcement services to the community with due regard for the racial, cultural or other differences of those served. It is the policy of this department to provide law enforcement services and to enforce the law equally, fairly, objectively and without discrimination toward any individual or group (Minn. Stat. § 626.8471, Subd. 3).
Bias-Based Policing Policy (PDF)
Eyewitness Identification
The Burnsville Police Department will strive to use eyewitness identification techniques, when appropriate, to enhance the investigative process and will emphasize identifying persons responsible for crime and exonerating the innocent.
Eyewitness Identification Policy (PDF)
Fitness For Duty
All officers are required to be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer duties. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all officers of this department remain fit for duty and able to perform their job functions. Basic human performance evaluations are used as a testing tool for this assessment (e.g., lifting, pushing, crawling, running, stair climbing, fence climbing, etc.).
Officer Response to Calls
It is the policy of this department to appropriately respond to emergency and nonemergency calls for service or requests for assistance, whether these are dispatched or self-initiated.
Officer Response to Calls Policy (PDF)
Missing Person
The Burnsville Police Department does not consider any report of a missing person to be routine and assumes that the missing person is in need of immediate assistance until an investigation reveals otherwise. Members will initiate an investigation into all reports of missing persons, regardless of the length of time the person has been missing.
Personnel Complaints
The Burnsville Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its members. The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with this policy and applicable federal, state and local law, municipal and county rules and the requirements of any memorandum of understanding. It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation.
Personnel Complaints Policy (PDF)
Standards of Conduct
The continued employment or appointment of every member of the Burnsville Police Department shall be based on conduct that reasonably conforms to the guidelines set forth herein. Failure to meet the guidelines set forth in this policy, whether on- or off-duty, may be cause for disciplinary action.
Standards of Conduct Policy (PDF)
Training
It is the policy of this department to administer a training program that will meet the standards of POST continuing education and provide for the professional growth and continued development of its personnel. By doing so, the Department seeks to ensure its personnel possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a professional level of service that meets the needs of the public.
Use of Force
This policy provides guidelines on the reasonable use of force. While there is no way to specify the exact amount or type of reasonable force to be applied in any situation, every member of this department is expected to use these guidelines to make such decisions in a professional, impartial, and reasonable manner (Minn. Stat. § 626.8452).
Firearms
The Burnsville Police Department will equip its members with firearms to address the risks posed to the public and department members by violent and sometimes well-armed persons. The Department will ensure firearms are appropriate and in good working order and that relevant training is provided as resources allow.
Portable Audio/Video & Body-Worn Cameras
Portable audio/video recording devices include all recording systems whether body-worn, handheld or integrated into portable equipment.The Burnsville Police Department has equipped uniformed officers with Mobile Video Recording (MVR) systems to document events during the course of an incident. This policy provides guidance on the use and management of the systems and the recorded media.
Minnesota Statute 13.825 (Portable Recording Systems) defines policies regarding data classification, retention, access and more.
Portable Recording Systems Statute
Use of Drones
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all drone/unmanned aircraft operators - even those only using recreationally - to register with their office. FAA Drone Information.
In addition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) requires that any drones/unmanned aircraft that have FAA-issued N-Numbers be registered with the state Office of Aeronautics. Registration with MnDOT is not required for unmanned aircraft operated solely for recreational use - but all users must still register with the FAA. MnDOT Drone Information.
Vehicle Pursuit Policy
Vehicle pursuits expose innocent citizens, law enforcement officers and fleeing violators to the risk of serious injury or death. The primary purpose of this policy is to provide officers with guidance in balancing the safety of the public and themselves against law enforcement’s duty to apprehend violators of the law. With this in mind, the Burnsville Police Department seeks to limit motor vehicle pursuits to instances involving only serious offenses against persons.
Criminal Conduct on School Buses
The Burnsville Police Department shall work with and consult with school officials, transportation personnel, parents and students to respond to these incidents to protect student safety and deal appropriately with those who violate the law.
Criminal Conduct on School Buses Policy (PDF)
Crisis Intervention Incidents
The Burnsville Police Department is committed to providing a high level of service to all members of the community and recognizes that persons in crisis may benefit from intervention. The Department will collaborate, where feasible, with mental health professionals to develop an overall intervention strategy to guide its members’ interactions with those experiencing a mental health crisis. This is to ensure equitable and safe treatment of all involved.
Crisis Intervention Policy (PDF)
Domestic Abuse
The Burnsville Police Department’s response to incidents of domestic abuse and violations of related court orders shall stress enforcement of the law to protect the victim and shall communicate the philosophy that domestic abuse is criminal behavior. It is also the policy of this department to facilitate victims’ and offenders’ access to appropriate civil remedies and community resources whenever feasible.
First Amendment Assemblies Policy
The Burnsville Police Department respects the rights of people to peaceably assemble. It is the policy of this department not to unreasonably interfere with, harass, intimidate or discriminate against persons engaged in the lawful exercise of their rights, while also preserving the peace, protecting life and preventing the destruction of property.
First Amendment Assemblies Policy (PDF)
Immigration Violations
It is the policy of the Burnsville Police Department that all members make personal and professional commitments to equal enforcement of the law and equal service to the public. Confidence in this commitment will increase the effectiveness of this department in protecting and serving the entire community and recognizing the dignity of all persons, regardless of their immigration status.
Immigration Violations policy (PDF)
Informants
The Burnsville Police Department recognizes the value of informants to law enforcement efforts and will strive to protect the integrity of the informant process. It is the policy of this department that all funds related to informant payments will be routinely audited and that payments to informants will be made according to the criteria outlined in this policy.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Services
It is the policy of the Burnsville Police Department to take every reasonable step to ensure timely and accurate communication and access to all individuals regardless of national origin or primary language. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d; Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C 3789d; Exec. Order No. 13,166, 65 Fed. Reg. 50,121 (Aug. 16, 2000).) Read the full policy (PDF)
- Minnesota Office of Justice Programs
Help for crime victims, which provides assistance in English, Español, Somali and Hmong
This information may be made available in alternative formats. For assistance please contact the City’s LEP Coordinator at 952-895-4471
.
Registered Predatory Offender
It is the policy of the Burnsville Police Department to identify and monitor registered offenders living within this jurisdiction and to take reasonable steps to address the risks those persons may pose.
Registered Predatory Offender Policy (PDF)
Sexual Assault Investigations
The Burnsville Police Department adopts the Investigations of Sexual Assault model policy established and published by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (MN POST) (Minn. Stat. § 626.8442).