Skip to main content

City of Foley goes forward with private police force

The city voted to sign a contract with a private security company after failing to reach a new contract with Benton County. Foley has been contracting with the county to provide law enforcement since the city cut its own police staff in 2003. Foley is the first city in Minnesota to hire a private police force.
  • Author:
  • Updated:
    Original:

The city voted to sign a contract with a private security company after failing to reach a new contract with Benton County. Foley has been contracting with the county to provide law enforcement since the city cut its own police staff in 2003. Foley is the first city in Minnesota to hire a private police force.

Next Up

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
MN Vikings

Here’s what the Vikings owners say about new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

The Vikings announced his hiring on Wednesday night.

raiaing canes brooklyn park crop
MN Food & Drink

After 3-month delay, newest Twin Cities Raising Cane's opens

The restaurant was originally scheduled to open in October.

st anthony armed robbery screengrab
MN News

Armed man robs Twin Cities thrift store, flees in carjacked pickup

He pulled out a handgun shortly after chatting with the cashier about his scarf.

red wing 6
MN Property

Gallery: Pagoda-inspired home on Lake Pepin for sale for $2M

The home has 425 feet of private shoreline on the Mississippi River.

Walz, Flanagan
MN News

Walz proposes legalizing marijuana in massive supplemental budget

It's among the provisions in his "Budget to Move Minnesota Forward."

Plow 2 (1)
MN News

Photos reveal damage from gunshots to Minneapolis snowplow

A hydraulic line and three tires were damaged in the shooting.

unsplash - school classroom students
MN News

Minneapolis schools confirm return to in-person teaching Monday

The school district shifted to online learning almost two weeks ago as rising COVID cases led to staff and bus driver shortages.

Flickr - Superior National Forest Boundary Waters
MN News

Mineral leases for proposed Twin Metals mine near Boundary Waters canceled

A review by the DOI found "significant legal deficiencies" with the leases' 2019 renewal.

cats
WI News

Reward to find person who left kittens to die in freezing WI cold

The cats were thrown from a vehicle, according to a witness.

metro mobility bus
MN News

Charges: Man led police on multi-city pursuit in stolen Metro Mobility bus

The bus had been left unattended with the keys inside when it was stolen.

Bell Ramsey Co. Jan 22 - crop
MN News

Charges: Man fatally shot mother of his child during argument

Officers found her on the ground outside the couple's home.

covid
MN Coronavirus

Minnesota's COVID-19 update for Wednesday, January 26

More than 15,000 new cases in today's update.

Related

MN News

Police standards panel blocks Foley's plans to hire private security police force

The Peace Officers Standards Training Board rejected the city of Foley's plan to hire private security guards to replace county sheriffs deputies. Foley's attempts to switch to private security would make it the first city in the state to ditch public law enforcement services. The city says it's a cost-saving move.

MN News

Police agency denies block of Foley's private security police force

The executive director of the police standards board charged with blocking an effort to hire private security to replace county sheriffs deputies says the claims are "fiction." A Foley city official confirms that the agency contacted the proposed security outfit but did not take action.

MN News

Foley becomes 1st Minnesota city to ditch deputies for security guards

The Foley city council voted to end their contract with the Benton County Sheriff's Department to save money. They'll pay nearly half as much to a private security company instead to safeguard the city.

MN News

Foley, Benton County in mediation over police services contract

The central Minnesota city previously contracted with the Benton County sheriff's office but switched in a cost-cutting move -- making it the first in the state to hire a private security company to patrol its streets.

MN News

Foley puts plan to hire private security officers on hold

Last month, the central Minnesota city dropped their contract with the Benton County sheriff's office in order to save money. But Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson raised concern about possible legal ramifications of relying on private security.

MN News

Attorney General will try to get sheriff's deputies back on beat in Foley

The city recently ended its contract with the Benton County sheriff's department in favor of a less expensive deal with a private security company. Now Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has offered to help mediate talks aimed at putting security back in the hands of sheriff's deputies.

MN News

Duluth police expands force with video surveillance

A growing number of U.S. cities are installing cameras to help deter and investigate crimes, including Duluth. Minnesota Public Radio reports the city has installed nearly three dozen cameras along Lake Superior and downtown.

MN News

Police prepare for potential hockey riots at U of M

Rioters overturned cars, started fires and looted stores in Dinkytown after the Gophers won the NCAA hockey tournament in 2002 and 2003. With the team possibly headed to the championship round on Saturday, campus and city police are putting together a "fairly significant police deployment plan," which includes plenty of officers as well as surveillance cameras.