In Bloomington, policing isn’t just about law enforcement. It’s about building relationships, earning trust and serving the community with respect. Since late 2022, the Bloomington Police Department has been living out its core value of respect in every part of its work through service, compassion and honesty.
Developed with input from community members, City staff and police personnel, these values now shape recruitment, training, policy and performance. The results speak for themselves. BPD is currently the only large department in Minnesota that is fully staffed, has achieved a four-year low in crime and a majority clearance rate for violent crime in 2024.
BPD’s values-based model has earned state recognition, including Excellence in Innovation Awards in 2025 for its Brain Health program, and the Minnesota Ethical Leadership Award in 2025 for its commitment to character-driven policing. These awards highlight BPD’s innovative efforts to support both community and staff wellness while fostering public trust.
Through initiatives like free mental health therapy, inclusive community engagement, holistic wellness, and ethical leadership development, BPD is setting a new standard for policing. Independent surveys confirm growing public confidence in the department’s mission: to always be respectful while keeping our community safe.
