Will St. Cloud Law Enforcement Go to Minneapolis for Chauvin’s Trial? It Depends, Officials Say

DPS Commissioner John Harrington speaks at an Operation Safety Net press conference on March 1.

(KNSI) – St. Cloud-area law enforcement authorities might assist with security efforts surrounding Derek Chauvin’s trial in Minneapolis, but the potential for protests and riots in St. Cloud could keep them out of the Twin Cities during the trial.

Jury selection starts March 8 in the trial of ex-officer Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd in May 2020. Several Twin Cities, state and federal authorities are readying for potential unrest through the Operation Safety Net coalition.

“None of us are big enough to handle the issues ahead of us with one voice or one department, so we’re coming together to make sure everyone stays safe in our community,” St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will use an intelligence operation center in conjunction with the Minneapolis Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and more to share intelligence with those authorities, says Michael Paul, special agent in charge with the Minneapolis FBI Field Office.

“While I can’t discuss specific intelligence assets or investigative methods or means, I can tell you the FBI is leveraging significant resources to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved in the trials,” Paul said.

Both Paul and BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said that there are no foreseen credible threats to the trial as of Monday.

“That doesn’t mean we’re not tracking, it doesn’t mean we’re not asking all the right questions,” Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington said. “We’re going to continue to gather information.”

As for St. Cloud-area agencies, Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck says his department has been asked to consider sending personnel to help with the safety effort; OSN did not request a specific number of deputies.

In an email to KNSI, Heck said that the BCSO will help Minneapolis authorities if possible. In an ideal situation, the agency can send three to five deputies, he said.

However, Heck said, the BCSO will need to evaluate the needs of the St. Cloud area and Benton County when the trial comes.

“While I have not been made aware of any specific threats to public safety locally, we need to ensure we have enough personnel present here to keep Benton County safe and support our local partner law enforcement agencies with any needs they may have,” Heck said.

Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka says his office has not looked into helping Minneapolis yet.

“We, of course, stand ready to assist fellow law enforcement if the need should arise, no matter where in the state that may be or what agency may request it,” Soyka said. “Due to the unknown of how the trial may affect our local area, I am not ready to commit personnel to assist in the metro area until such time as I know St. Cloud and Stearns County are safe and secure.”

Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office media specialist David Unze says the department hasn’t been contacted by the OSN and doesn’t anticipate sending assistance.

Evans noted the possibility for law enforcement’s response in other areas of the state during the trial.

“This is a statewide issue,” Evans said. “And if other areas of the state become a target for any other reason, that’s exactly what this group [the OSN] is here to do.”