Here's How Mendota Heights' PD Has Prepared For Chauvin's Trial

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN— In anticipation of the start of Derek Chauvin's trial Monday, police stations across Minnesota have begun to prepare for possible unrest with some departments even erecting barricades around their buildings.

The Mendota Heights Police Department has been preparing as well.

Chief Kelly McCarthy made a post on the department's Facebook page on Tuesday, encouraging residents to voice questions, comments, or concerns, and to check on community members who are part of marginalized groups.

"Do you have questions, concerns, or anxiety that you would like us to address? Are you making space for your feelings and checking in on your Black/Brown/Asian/Indigenous friends? Do you want to know what preparations the department has made and how we are taking care of our cops?" the post read.

Since then, Patch reached out to McCarthy to learn more about what the department is doing in preparation for Monday.

McCarthy told Patch that the Mendota Heights Police Department had a meeting Wednesday night where members discussed:

• Trial preparations, schedule, and expectations
• The department's mental health program
• The departments equipment needs
• The "churn" and politics surrounding the trial
• The department also did respectful workplace training with a focus on how they treat each other when they make mistakes.

McCarthy told Patch that officers are stressed that they will become the next "Youtube cop."

"They were reminded that as long as they are treating people with dignity and respect while they are following law and policy, they have nothing to fear," McCarthy said. "As long as they are acting within department expectations, I will lose my job before they do. I reminded them that they have the skills, knowledge and ability to do their jobs safely."

McCarthy talked about the police department's expectations for citizens once the trial begins.

"My expectations for citizens are the same as they always are," McCarthy said. "I expect that we all follow the law and that they are respectful towards one another."

McCarthy said that while the department isn't expecting any specific safety concerns, it is working with partners in Dakota County to prepare for all scenarios.

In light of recent civil unrest, McCarthy told Patch that it "exposed some facility vulnerabilities that (they) are working to correct" but that she would "rather not go into detail."