Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Witt’s community Engagement team made essential connections at the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) fall conference. Together, they also had several negotiations and discussions on using Artificial Intelligence.

Reportedly, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is the Sheriff’s office for Hennepin County in the US state of Minnesota. Hennepin County manages several departments, such as the county jail, patrols waterways, provides security for the District Court, handles home foreclosures, and participates in homeland security activities and law enforcement.

Sheriff Witt attended the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) fall conference this week. This organization brings sheriffs together from the largest counties in the US and focuses on the most critical public safety challenges facing law enforcement.

Some discussions included the opioid crisis focusing on fentanyl, cyber security, increased threats of generative artificial intelligence and a briefing on advances in Investigative Genetic Genealogy to help solve cold cases.

Students participating in our Explorer program underwent formal interviews this week to see what it’s like to be recruited for the Sheriff’s Office. Explorers are students ages 14 – 20 who want to learn about law enforcement or are interested in a deputy career.

Also, the Hennepin’s Community Engagement Team and Water Patrol Unit attended the annual Edina Police Department Open House. Kids got to run the Ninja Anywhere obstacle course, create art, and grab some tasty food. Thank you, Edina, for hosting such a fun day!

The annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival was held this past week, which celebrates Ukrainian culture and traditions. Our Community Engagement Team was in attendance.

Organizers posted this message on social media: “These past eighteen months have been brutally hard for our home country, Ukraine, and our Ukrainian community here in Minnesota. And during these trying times, we’ve been so blessed by so many friendships and expressions of support.”

National Forensic Science Week officially wraps up tomorrow, but today, our Forensic Science Laboratory members gathered outside US Bank Stadium for a group photo.

The photo includes Evidence Specialists, Firearms Examiners, DNA Analysts, Latent Print Examiners, Crime Scene Investigators, and the excellent staff that supports them.