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.

The Court of Appeals ruled that a lifetime ban on gun ownership for people convicted of "crimes of violence" does not violate the state constitution.

Police pushed for the ban after responding to two 911 calls in which citizens reported seeing guns on the street. In one case, police drew their weapons and forced a suspect to the ground before they discovered the person was carrying an airsoft gun. Airsoft guns look very similar to real firearms but shoot plastic BBs.