Purpose

• To increase funding for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit (IUFIU) so it can handle more cases related to use-of-force incidents.

Main Provisions

• An appropriation of $550,000 from Minnesota’s general fund in fiscal year 2027 is made to the commissioner of public safety.
• The money is for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to support the Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, which was created under Minnesota Statutes section 299C.80.
• The funds must be used to hire two additional special agents and one additional criminal intelligence analyst.
• These three new positions are to work solely on cases assigned to the Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit.
• This appropriation is in addition to money already provided for this purpose in Laws 2025, chapter 35, article 2, section 3, subdivision 3.

What this changes or adds

• Expands the staffing of the Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit by three positions (two special agents and one criminal intelligence analyst).
• Shifts or guarantees dedicated focus on use-of-force cases by having these new hires work only on IUFIU cases.
• Provides an additional funding stream specifically from the general fund for this purpose, supplementing existing funding.

Fiscal and Legal Context

• The funding comes from the general fund and is designated for fiscal year 2027.
• The unit the funding supports is created under Minnesota Statutes section 299C.80.
• The bill notes that this appropriation adds to, not replaces, existing funding allocated for the IUFIU as described in Laws 2025, chapter 35, article 2, section 3, subdivision 3.

Significance

• Aims to improve the investigation process and capacity for use-of-force cases by increasing personnel dedicated to IUFIU.
• Enhances resource availability specifically for independent investigations of use-of-force incidents.

Implementation Notes

• The commissioner of public safety must allocate the funds as described to hire the new positions.
• The emphasis is on ensuring staff are dedicated to IUFIU caseload rather than shared across other units.

Relevant Terms

• Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit
• Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• Minnesota Statutes section 299C.80
• general fund
• fiscal year 2027
• appropriation
• special agents
• criminal intelligence analyst
• Laws 2025 chapter 35 article 2 section 3 subdivision 3
• use-of-force investigations

Relevant Terms - Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension - Minnesota Statutes section 299C.80 - general fund - fiscal year 2027 - appropriation - special agents - criminal intelligence analyst - Laws 2025 chapter 35 article 2 section 3 subdivision 3 - use of force investigations