MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Blaine Community Service Officer Receives Statewide Excellence in Service Award

BLAINE, MN (May 7, 2026) Blaine Police Department has announced that Community Service Officer Sophie Brenteson has received the Excellence in Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Women Police, recognizing her leadership, volunteer service, and contributions to the department’s Public Safety Cadet Program.

The award was presented during the Minnesota Association of Women Police Annual Conference held in May 2026.

According to the Blaine Police Department, Brenteson joined the agency’s Public Safety Cadet Program in 2024 and quickly distinguished herself through volunteer service, leadership involvement, and professional development activities.

Department officials said Brenteson contributed hundreds of volunteer hours during her time in the cadet program and received two Memorandums of Achievement, formal departmental commendations recognizing exceptional initiative and performance beyond standard expectations.

In April 2026, Brenteson also represented Blaine at the statewide Law Enforcement Cadet Conference in Rochester, where she placed among the top six participants out of 168 competitors in the conference’s Mock Interview competition, an event designed to evaluate communication skills, professionalism, and career readiness within law enforcement settings.

Police officials said Brenteson’s award nomination was further strengthened by her leadership in organizing a 5K fundraising event that generated support for the department’s cadet unit. According to the department, proceeds from the fundraiser helped offset costs associated with training equipment, uniforms, and conference participation for cadet members.

Following her participation in the cadet program, Brenteson was hired by the City of Blaine as a Community Service Officer.

Community Service Officers, commonly referred to as CSOs, serve in civilian public safety support positions within police departments. Duties often include assisting with non-emergency calls for service, traffic direction, parking enforcement, ordinance complaints, animal control matters, fleet support, and administrative public safety operations.

The Minnesota Association of Women Police describes its Excellence in Service Award as recognition for individuals who demonstrate sustained commitment to professionalism, community engagement, and public service within the criminal justice field.

The Blaine Police Department said Brenteson’s recognition reflects both her individual contributions and the department’s continued investment in youth development and career pathway programs through its Public Safety Cadet Program.

Cadet programs are increasingly used by law enforcement agencies throughout Minnesota as recruitment and mentorship pipelines designed to introduce young adults to careers in public safety, leadership training, and community-oriented policing practices.

In a public statement, Blaine Police officials described Brenteson as one of the cadet unit’s most involved volunteers in recent years and credited her work ethic, service record, and leadership efforts as key reasons for the statewide recognition.

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