I am pleased to submit the 2024 Eden Prairie Police Department Annual Report to you and the residents of Eden Prairie. This report contains a summary of events and operations the Police Department undertook in 2024.
In February, we hosted a memorial service at Grace Church for the three fallen Burnsville first responders. Our staff worked tirelessly on planning and executing the parking, staging and security for the event. We appreciate all of the help we received from other City departments before and during the service.
Throughout the year we worked on preparations for the City Center remodel, including surveying police employees and creating a building design that will meet the needs of the City and our growing department. On that note, we hired four new officers and three civilian staff members last year.
We responded to 45,810 calls for service, which was an increase from 45,765 in 2023. A full list of statistics can be found on the last page of this report.
On behalf of the nearly 150 staff and volunteer members of the Police Department, I thank you for your continued support and look forward to serving you in the coming year.
Cover photo by Officer Hunter Fricke while on patrol under hazy skies May 13, 2024.
Chief Matt Sackett
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Eden Prairie Police Department is to
protect and serve
Department Values
Provide customized the community of service to the community Eden Prairie through active
Exercise discretion and and professional fairness in enforcement engagement.
Build public trust in the Department
Promote the professional development of its members
2024 Eden Prairie Police Department
Organizational Chart
City Manager
Rick Getschow
Police Chief
Matt Sackett
Captain
Chris Wood
Patrol Operations
Lt. Rob Johnston
Airport Unit
K 9
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Crime Technicians
Field Training Unit
Patrol Response
Reserve Unit
Retail Crime Unit
Special Weapons And Tactics Unit (SWAT)
Traffic Enforcement
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Investigative Operations
Lt. Jen Ficcadenti
Chaplains
Community Liaison
Criminal Investigations
Domestic Abuse
Response Team
Explorer Unit
Law Enforcement Analyst
Mental Health Unit
Juvenile Liaisons
Special Investigations
Support
Operations
Lt. Jess Irmiter
Animal Control
Background Investigations
Code Enforcement
CSOs/Cadets
Emergency Communications Center
Hiring/Recruitment
Licensing
Professional Development
Records
Command Staff
City Council Members
Lisa
Command Staff and City Council
Lt. Jess Irmiter, Lt. Jen Ficcadenti, Chief Matt Sackett, Captain Chris Wood, Lt. Rob Johnston
Toomey, Mark Freiberg, Mayor Ron Case, PG Narayanan, Kathy Nelson
NEW HIRES
In 2024 the EPPD hired four new officers: Serena Haglin, Isaiah Scarborough, Isaac Martig and Phil Morgan.
Officer Serena Haglin
June 2, 2024
Officer Isaiah Scarborough
June 2, 2024
Officer Isaac Martig
Aug. 12, 2024
Officer Phil Morgan
Sept. 16, 2024
The EPPD welcomed Meenakshi Manickam to the Reserve
Unit in November.
Emma Wax.
Sarah Manoleff began working for the EPPD as a Records Specialist in October.
In March, Kayley McCarthy began working for the EPPD as a dispatcher.
Chris Van Den Broeke began working for the EPPD as a dispatcher in November.
Alyssa Benkowski was Dennis Clark was promoted to Records promoted to Dispatch Supervisor in April. Supervisor in October. Alyssa has worked for the Dennis has worked as a EPPD since 2018. dispatcher for Eden Prairie since 2021.
Reserve Officers Robert Lawton and Hannah Schmidt were promoted to Reserve Officer II in 2024.
DEPARTURES
Dispatcher Marci Pogatchnik retired in March after 34 years of service.
Det. Mark Gustad retired in May after 30 years of service.
Reserve Officer David Gregoire retired in December after 10 years of volunteer service.
Quesenberry left Eden Prairie in August after 16 years of service.
Records Supervisor Cesar Muñoz left Eden Prairie in April after ten years of service.
PATROL DIVISION
Lt. Rob Johnston led the Patrol Division, which includes eight sergeants and 38 officers.
There are eight Patrol Units as well as the secondary Airport, K 9, Crime Tech, Field Training, Reserve, Retail Crime, Traffic, SWAT and Unmanned Aerial Systems units.
In January, the EPPD had the opportunity to give an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to one of our favorite non-profit organizations, Let’s Go Fishing.
The donation was part of a larger program called Hearts on Duty which is run by Stryker, the manufacturer of the AEDs. Stryker created Hearts on Duty to allow law enforcement agencies that use one of their AEDs in a cardiac arrest save to donate an AED to a non-profit organization in their community.
The EPPD chose Let’s Go Fishing as it has been an important outreach partner. Every summer volunteers take officers and kids out on their boats for fishing expeditions on Lake Riley. They did not have an AED on board until the EPPD’s donation.
PATROL DIVISION
In 2024, nine officers received Heart Saver pins for their work in five different incidents where they saved lives using either CPR or an AED. The EPPD responded to 324 cardiac calls in 2024.
Traffic remains one of the top concerns for Eden Prairie residents. In 2024, the department issued 6,240 written warnings for traffic violations up 26% from 4,947 warnings in 2023. Officer Hunter Fricke (below) received an award from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for his arrest of two teenage drivers who were racing each other on Hwy. 212 at nearly 100 MPH. Both vehicles had passengers and neither driver had a drivers license.
For a fifth year, Officer
Chad Streiff served as a full-time DWI officer thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. In 2024, Officer Streiff made 124 DWI arrests. For the high number of DWI arrests he made in 2023, Officer Streiff received MADD’s Red Medallion Award and was named to the Minnesota DWI Enforcer All-Star Team.
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
Lt. Jen Ficcadenti served as the Investigations Division lieutenant in 2024. The division includes two sergeants, 13 officers and one civilian employee. The units comprising the division include Criminal Investigations, Domestic Abuse Response Team, Explorers, Law Enforcement Analyst, Juvenile Liaisons, Community Liaison, Chaplains and Special Investigations.
Molly Mitley began working as an Embedded Social Worker for the EPPD in January 2022 and since then has been working with EPPD staff on calls where someone is in crisis. Funding for the position is shared by Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie.
In 2024, Molly had 467 referrals from officers and the community. The number of Person in Crisis calls in Eden Prairie increased from 288 in 2023 to 302 in 2024.
In September, the EPPD added a fifth juvenile liaison officer to work in Eden Prairie Schools. The liaison officers pictured above are (L to R): TJ Henderson (EPHS), Kenny Stromgren (EPHS), Scott Williamson (CMS), Rob Geis (Oak Point, Eagle Heights, Eden Lake, Prairie View) and Ryan Kuffel (CMS, Cedar Ridge, Forest Hills).
Molly Mitley (right) with Officer Juliette Glynn at the Citywide Open House
DIVISION
Financial fraud continues to be a problem in Eden Prairie,
although the number of fraud calls decreased from 194 in 2023 to 163 in 2024.
One major fraud case investigators worked on in 2024 stemmed from a stolen credit card that had been taken out of an employee’s purse at her place of business. After an extensive investigation, several days of surveillance and two search warrants, investigators learned the suspects were linked to multiple theft and fraud cases in the metro totaling $292,000. Two suspects were arrested.
In April, the EPPD worked with the National Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host a Drug Take Back Day event at the Senior Center.
People were able to drop off unused or expired medication for free and the EPPD safely disposed of it. There were 305 pounds worth of unused medication collected at the event.
In June, more than 100 campers and counselors took over Riley Lake Park for Safety Camp, which is coordinated and staffed by police, fire, and parks and recreation employees.
SUPPORT DIVISION
Lt. Jess Irmiter led the Support Division, which includes the Records, Emergency Communications Center, Professional Development, Support Operations, Community Service, Animal Control, Licensing and Code Enforcement units.
In 2024, Eden Prairie’ s 13 Public Safety Telecommunicators answered 45,810 calls for service, ranging from death investigations (60) to medicals (3,727) to identity theft (109).
The Records Unit managed 17,359 records in 2024.
In addition, the Evidence section of the unit processed 5,031 new pieces of evidence and disposed of 4,444 pieces of evidence.
In 2024, our front desk staff members took in 286 permit-to-purchase applications and assisted 2,612 individuals in the lobby.
In 2024, the Support Unit processed 94 solicitor permits, 80 liquor licenses and 1,039 City ordinance violation reports, among other calls.
SUPPORT DIVISION
In the fall, the EPPD hosted 18 students for its annual Citizens Academy. Participants spent one night per week for six weeks learning about dispatch, traffic, DWIs, unmanned aerial systems (drones), investigations, use of force, SWAT, K 9 and negotiations. Citizens Academy is sponsored by the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund.
In August, the EPPD celebrated Night to Unite with 163 neighborhoods who hosted parties and donated 8,534 pounds of food to PROP.
RESERVES
EPPD Reserve Officers are adult volunteers who assist sworn officers by performing community service tasks and non criminal police functions. Reserve Officers also assist in natural disasters and other emergencies that require additional personnel. In 2024, the Reserves volunteered 3,343 hours of service.
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On Feb. 28, the Reserves assisted with traffic control during the funeral of the fallen Burnsville first responders which took place at Grace Church.
In May, the EPPD Reserve Officers conducted a traffic safety school in conjunction with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office for 33 volunteer Reserves from 12 metro agencies.
The Reserves helped with last year’s Night to Unite celebration in August.
EXPLORERS & CHAPLAINS
Police Explorers are young people ages 14–21 who are interested in law enforcement. Explorers gain working knowledge through hands-on experience, including weekly meetings and training sessions.
At their state conference in April, the Explorers earned 1st place in Opiate Education, Domestics and Retail Crime
The EPPD’s volunteer chaplains provide emotional and spiritual care to community members and public safety responders. Chaplains take turns being on-call for the department. In 2024, chaplains were called out seven times.
Chaplains Peter Johnson, Ryan Tarman, John Brecount and Paul Nelson at last year’s Chaplain BBQ. Explorers & Chaplains
AWARDS
Officer Dan Chanski received the Chaplain Tim Power Award, named in honor of the late Father Tim Power who served as a Police and Fire Department Chaplain for 24 years before his death in 2016. The award recognizes an employee who provides consistent care for people in the department and community, and is awarded by the Chaplain Unit.
Officer Scott Williamson received the Officer of the Year Award for his past work as a Retail Crime Officer and for demonstrating an ability to work with people throughout the community.
Social Worker Molly Mitley received the Civilian Employee of the Year Award for her commitment to assisting community members with a variety of challenges, and helping them find resources and services.
In March, former City Prosecutor Tory Sailer received the department's Commendation Award for his three years of service to the department, and in particular his commitment to keeping impaired drivers off the street.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
At the Polar Plunge at Riley Lake in March, 616 plungers raised $180,926 for Special Olympics Minnesota.
In June, EPPD officers and Special Olympics athletes participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run (in the pouring rain!). The torch made its way to Stillwater for the Special Olympics summer games.
In September, the EPPD hosted a booth at Girls in Aviation Day at Flying Cloud Airport. The event helps foster female participation in aviation-related careers.
Our team brought the department’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) to the event.
In December the EPPD collected donations for Toys for Tots and delivered them to the KARE11 studios so the Marine Corps Reserves could distribute them to kids.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
In October, officers attended the Harvest to Halloween at the Barn event at Riley Lake Park.
At the Citywide Open House in October, visitors dusted for fingerprints, watched K-9 demos and the SWAT team robots in action, and drove a pedal cart to simulate impaired driving, among other activities.
In December officers and firefighters partnered with children for Holidays with Heroes, which included an afternoon of shopping at Eden Prairie Center. The same generous benefactor has funded the event all ten years through the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund.
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
In 2024 the department hosted nine Coffee with a Cop
events at 7 Corners Coffee, Godavari, Caribou Coffee, McDonald’s, Round Lake Park, Scheels, the Senior Center
