Honoring Service and Trust: Blaine Police Department on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

BLAINE, Minn.

Each year on January 9, communities across the United States observe National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a moment set aside to recognize the officers, civilian professionals, and volunteers who carry the daily responsibility of public safety. In Blaine, that recognition centers on the Blaine Police Department, a full service law enforcement agency serving one of Minnesota’s largest and fastest growing cities.

Established nationally in 2015 with support from organizations including Concerns of Police Survivors, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created to provide the public with a formal opportunity to acknowledge the increasingly complex and demanding nature of policing. For Blaine residents, it is also a moment to reflect on how public safety functions locally, not as an abstract concept, but as a daily partnership between officers and the community they serve.

A full service department rooted in professionalism

The Blaine Police Department is headquartered at the Blaine City Hall and Safety Services Center and operates under the leadership of Police Chief and Public Safety Director Brian Podany. The department’s stated values emphasize integrity, respect, and professionalism, principles that guide both enforcement and engagement.

Blaine officers and staff are responsible for a wide scope of services that extend well beyond emergency response. Core duties include proactive patrol, traffic enforcement and crash investigation, criminal investigations ranging from property crimes to complex felony cases, and frequent public assistance calls such as welfare checks, medical support, and coordination during severe weather or major incidents. These responsibilities are carried out by sworn officers working alongside non sworn civilian staff who manage records, communications, and operational coordination.

According to statewide public safety records, the department is staffed by several dozen sworn officers, supported by trained Police Reserve volunteers. These reserve officers wear official uniforms, operate marked vehicles, assist with community events, and help manage lower priority calls, allowing licensed officers to remain focused on urgent public safety needs.

Divisions designed for comprehensive safety

To meet the varied needs of a growing city, the department is organized into key functional divisions.

The Patrol Division provides twenty four hour coverage and remains the most visible presence in neighborhoods and business districts. The Investigations Division includes specialized units that address complex and evolving crimes, including computer forensics, narcotics, and organized retail theft. Complementing both is a Community Outreach function that focuses on education, partnership, and trust building, reinforcing the idea that public safety is most effective when residents are informed and engaged.

Community programs that build connection

What distinguishes the Blaine Police Department is its sustained investment in community oriented policing. The department sponsors and participates in several programs designed to reduce barriers between residents and law enforcement.

The Citizens Academy offers residents a multi week, behind the scenes look at policing, covering topics such as crime scene processing, decision making under stress, and use of force policies. Safety Camp, held during the summer months, introduces young people to personal safety, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness. Each August, Night to Unite brings neighbors and officers together through block parties and local gatherings that emphasize prevention through familiarity. The Community Alliance brings together community leaders and police staff to address broader social concerns and strengthen mutual understanding.

Appreciation as both gesture and relationship

On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, residents often show support in simple but meaningful ways. Some wear blue, others send notes or cards to department headquarters, participate in Project Blue Light by displaying a blue porch light, or take a moment to thank an officer encountered during the day.

Yet appreciation in Blaine is framed not only as a one day gesture, but as an ongoing relationship. City hosted engagement efforts and public surveys have underscored the importance of transparency and dialogue, reinforcing that trust is built over time through consistency, accountability, and communication.

On this National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, the message from Blaine is both clear and grounded. Thank you to the officers, civilian staff, and volunteers of the Blaine Police Department, and to first responders across the region, whose professionalism and care help keep the community safe today and every day.

MinneapoliMedia