8.1 Codes, Laws, and Ordinances
Standard:
Public safety and law enforcement within parks and recreation areas and facilities shall be governed by codes, laws, and ordinances, some of which may be enacted specifically for the control and management of parks and recreation areas and facilities. The codes, laws and ordinances shall be posted or readily available to park patrons.
Narrative:
Public safety and law enforcement within Shakopee’s parks and recreation areas are governed by established city codes and ordinances that ensure the protection, order, and well-being of all patrons. The City of Shakopee Police Department holds enforcement authority for all city-owned parks and recreation facilities as outlined in City Code 32.16, which defines the role, structure, and authority of the Police Department.
Further authority for enforcement is detailed in City Code 10.20, which grants licensed peace officers of the Shakopee Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, and designated city officials the ability to enforce provisions of the City Code. This section also outlines the process for inspections, citations, and warrants to ensure compliance with municipal regulations that protect public safety and welfare.
Parks and recreation–specific rules and regulations are established under City Code Chapter 91, which governs public use, conduct, and operational policies within Shakopee’s parks and facilities. To ensure transparency and public awareness, applicable park rules and regulations are posted at individual park entrances and facilities; such as Southbridge Community Dog Park, which displays signage referencing the applicable city code sections for user awareness and compliance. All park regulations are also readily available on the City of Shakopee’s website on the "Parks and Trails" page.
Supporting Evidence:8.1a Shakopee City Code 32.16
8.1b Shakopee City Code 10.20
8.1c Shakopee Code Chapter 91
8.1d Shakopee Parks & Trails Webpage
8.1.1 Staff Liaison to Law Enforcement Officers
Standard:
There shall be established liaison assignments for agency staff to the official law enforcement officers providing public safety and law enforcement service to the agency.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department maintains an established staff liaison relationship with the City of Shakopee Police Department to support coordinated public safety and law enforcement services within parks, facilities, and recreation programs. The Chief of Police has formally designated the Parks and Recreation Director as the department’s staff liaison to the Police Department.
8.2 Authority to Enforce Laws by Law Enforcement Officers
Standard:
The authority of law enforcement officers to enforce laws and ordinances pertaining specifically to activity within parks, recreation areas, and facilities shall be clearly established to ensure that enforcement actions are upheld. Authority to enforce laws and ordinances within parks and recreation areas and facilities must be established through assignment within the agency, by contract with another agency, or by policy of the government jurisdiction in which the agency operates.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee clearly establishes the authority of law enforcement officers to enforce laws and ordinances within all parks, recreation areas, and facilities. Enforcement authority is defined in City Code Section 10.20 – Enforcement, which designates that any licensed peace officer of the Shakopee Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff, or any Deputy Sheriff has the authority to enforce all provisions of the City Code, including those specific to park and recreation operations.
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 626.862, the City further grants administrative enforcement authority to the City Clerk and to other designated city officials or employees, as determined by the City Clerk or City Council. This ensures a clear chain of responsibility for enforcement actions related to public safety, health, and welfare within city-owned facilities and properties. Designated officials may issue citations or take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with City Code provisions when necessary.
This defined authority ensures that all enforcement actions within Shakopee’s park system are lawful, consistent, and supported by governing ordinances. The partnership between the Shakopee Police Department, City Administration, and the Parks and Recreation Department provides a coordinated approach to maintaining safety and compliance across all park and recreation facilities.
Supporting Evidence:
8.2a Shakopee City Code 10.20
8.2b MN Statute 826.862
8.3 Law Enforcement Officer Training
Standard:
Law enforcement officers with the authority to enforce laws within areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of the agency must have proper training in order to carry out their roles and responsibilities.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee ensures that law enforcement officers with authority to enforce laws within parks, recreation facilities, and programs are properly trained to fulfill their responsibilities. Officers serving these areas are members of the City of Shakopee Police Department and meet all federal, state, and local training requirements, including certification and continuing education standards established by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
All officers complete comprehensive pre-employment screening and background investigation in accordance with Minnesota statutes and POST requirements. Following hire, officers complete required federal and state training, including National Incident Management System (NIMS) coursework and ongoing POST-mandated continuing education for license renewal. Required training areas include crisis intervention, conflict management, cultural competency, bias awareness, autism response, officer wellness, use of force, firearms proficiency, and emergency vehicle operations.
In addition to mandated requirements, the Police Department conducts regular in-service and scenario-based training throughout the year, including emergency response, evidence handling, legal updates, and incident review. This training framework ensures officers remain current in best practices and prepared to provide effective law enforcement and public safety services within park and recreation environments.
Supporting Evidence:
8.3a Police P&R Accreditation Information
8.4 Public Information on Laws, Ordinances, Rules, Regulations, and Policies
Standard: Agency staff shall participate in educating and informing the public on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to parks and recreation areas and facilities. This role shall be established through policy directive.
Narrative:
The department recognizes the importance of educating and informing the public on applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies related to parks and recreation areas and facilities. Currently, staff routinely share this information through day-to-day interactions with patrons, including verbal reminders, posted signage, website content, registration materials, and program-specific communications. These efforts support user understanding of expectations related to facility use, safety, and conduct.
While staff actively participate in providing public information and education, this role is not formally established through a written policy directive that defines staff responsibilities for communicating laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies. As a result, the department does not fully meet the standard requirement for a documented policy outlining this function.
The department intends to address this gap by developing and adopting a formal policy directive that clearly defines staff roles and responsibilities related to public education and communication of applicable regulations. This policy will provide consistency, accountability, and alignment with best practices outlined in CAPRA standards.
8.4.1 In-Service Training for Staff on Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Standard:
Agency staff shall understand their role in public safety and law enforcement and relationships with law enforcement officers having jurisdiction within parks and recreation areas and facilities. The purpose of this training to ensure that staff understand where their authority ends and when an incident should be referred to law enforcement. In-service training shall be extended to front line staff such as lifeguards and park attendants to assure they are fully prepared to respond to law-enforcement incidents.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department provides in-service training to ensure staff understand their role in public safety, the limits of their authority, and the appropriate involvement of law enforcement within parks and recreation facilities. This training is provided to all staff, including front-line personnel such as lifeguards, park attendants, and customer service staff.
Training covers general security procedures, the department’s Emergency Action Plan, and disciplinary policies, including suspension and criminal trespass procedures. Emphasis is placed on recognizing situations that require referral to law enforcement and understanding how staff actions support, but do not replace, law enforcement responsibilities.
The Shakopee Police Department and Shakopee Fire Department participate annually in training sessions with part-time front-line staff to reinforce interagency coordination, review emergency response roles, and clarify how incidents are escalated to public safety partners. These sessions ensure staff are prepared to respond appropriately to law-enforcement-related incidents and understand established communication and response protocols.
Supporting Evidence:8.4.1a EAP & General Security Training
8.4.1b Guest Service Sign in
8.4.1c Aquatics Sign in
8.4.2 Handling of Disruptive Behavior Procedures
Standard:
There shall be established procedures for agency staff on response to disruptive behavior at agency areas and facilities. Procedures shall identify the role of staff in intervention when an incident occurs, documentation of behavior and delineation of law enforcement roles in handling behavioral issues.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department maintains established procedures for responding to disruptive behavior at agency facilities and program areas to ensure the safety and well-being of guests and staff. These procedures are outlined in the department’s Code of Conduct, Zero Tolerance Policy, and Disciplinary Guidelines, which apply to all participants, members, spectators, and visitors at City recreation facilities.
The procedures clearly define staff roles in identifying, intervening, and documenting disruptive or unsafe behavior. All Parks and Recreation staff are responsible for observing behavior, enforcing facility rules, and taking immediate action when inappropriate conduct occurs. Behaviors are categorized by severity, with corresponding progressive disciplinary actions that range from verbal warnings to suspensions or removal from facilities.
Supervisory staff are responsible for issuing suspensions, communicating expectations to the individual involved, and ensuring incidents are properly documented through incident reports and suspension notices. When behavior escalates to criminal activity or safety concerns, staff coordinate with the City of Shakopee Police Department to enforce laws and issue criminal trespass notices as necessary.
These procedures provide staff with clear guidance for consistent response, documentation, and coordination with law enforcement, ensuring disruptive behavior is addressed promptly, fairly, and in accordance with established policy.
Supporting Evidence
8.4.2a SOP 9 - Zero Tolerance and Suspensions
8.4.3 Traffic Control, Parking Plans, and Crowd Control
Standard:
The agency shall coordinate with the official law enforcement agency having jurisdiction on large-scale events hosted or facilitated by the agency that require planning and coordination of traffic, parking and crowd control. Plans shall specifically define the roles of the event sponsor, agency staff, and the law enforcement agency regarding traffic layouts at the venue, traffic routes and personnel assignments.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department coordinates with the Shakopee Police Department for events that require traffic control, parking coordination, or crowd management. This coordination ensures public safety and establishes clear roles and responsibilities between agency staff and law enforcement.
The most recent example is the annual Happy Birthday America Parade where Parks and Recreation staff work directly with the Police Department to plan traffic control at designated street crossing locations along the parade route. Staff submit an event map identifying areas where temporary traffic closures and law enforcement assistance are required. Parade and event request forms are also submitted in accordance with City procedures, with current forms maintained on the City’s website.
This collaborative planning process ensures appropriate traffic layouts, personnel assignments, and crowd control measures are in place to ensure everyone's safety.
Supporting Evidence:
8.4.3a Parade and Race Permit
8.4.3b Approved Parade Route
8.4.4 Handling of Evidentiary Items Procedures
Standard:
Procedures shall be established to guide agency staff in the preservation and handling of evidence until transferred to the appropriate law enforcement authority. Procedures shall be established in coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to define staff roles in ensuring that evidentiary items are preserved until the proper law enforcement agency assumes command of the scene.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department has established procedures within its General Security Standard Operating Procedures that guide staff in the identification, preservation, and handling of potential evidentiary items. These procedures are developed in coordination with the Shakopee Police Department and clearly define staff roles when an incident involves suspected criminal activity.
Parks and Recreation staff are not responsible for collecting, handling, or processing evidence. When potential evidentiary items are discovered, staff are directed to immediately notify the Shakopee Police Department, preserve the scene to the extent practicable by limiting access and avoiding disturbance, and maintain the safety of patrons and staff until law enforcement arrives. Staff may document basic incident information in accordance with departmental reporting procedures.
Upon arrival, the responding police officer assumes command of the scene and conducts the initial investigation in accordance with Police Department procedures. This includes determining whether a crime has occurred, preserving and collecting evidence, identifying and interviewing parties involved, requesting additional investigative resources when necessary, and completing all required reports and documentation.
These coordinated procedures ensure that evidentiary items are preserved appropriately until transferred to the proper law enforcement authority, establish clear delineation of responsibility between Parks and Recreation staff and law enforcement, and support effective investigation and public safety practices.
Supporting Evidence
8.4.4a SOP 17 - General Security
8.5 General Security Plan
Standard:
The agency shall have a comprehensive general security plan addressing areas, buildings and facilities under its jurisdiction that is updated periodically. Plans for each major area, building or facility should be available at each site. The general security plan may be a compilation of security plans from each major area, building or facility. Hazardous or flammable materials storage areas should be clearly identified in plans and at each specific site. Signage at each site should be installed in accordance with the unified signage system. To be effective, the security plan should be updated when a new area, building or facility is added, security systems are modified or when legislation requires change.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department maintains a comprehensive general security plan that addresses the safety and security of areas, buildings, and facilities under its jurisdiction. The department’s security framework is consolidated within the Shakopee Parks and Recreation Procedure Handbook, which serves as the primary reference for staff and is reviewed and updated periodically to reflect operational changes, facility additions, system upgrades, and legislative requirements.
Security planning is implemented through a combination of standardized operating procedures that apply department-wide and site-specific practices maintained at individual facilities.
- SOP 17 (General Security) outlines facility access protocols, locking and key control systems, procedures related to weapons, and opening and closing procedures for recreation facilities.
- SOP 10 (Emergency Procedures) establishes response protocols for fire alarms, fire suppression systems, emergency evacuations, critical incidents, and coordination with emergency services. These procedures ensure that staff have clear directions for routine operations and emergency situations.
- SOP 8 (Zero Tolerance Policy and Suspensions) provides guidance for managing disruptive behavior and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for patrons, staff, and visitors. It outlines staff procedures and when to involve law enforcement for situations of escalating behavior.
8.5a SOP 17, General Security
8.5b SOP 10, Emergency Procedures
8.5c SOP 8, Zero Tolerance Policy and Suspensions
8.5d Shakopee Parks and Recreation Operations and Procedure Handbook
8.6 Emergency Management Planning
Standard:
The agency shall be aware of emergency operations planning within their jurisdiction and its role in emergency management systems. Roles may vary depending on the scope of services provided by the agency and the location of its facilities. Recreation agencies, having roles in emergency management systems within their local jurisdiction, shall be aware of the applicable operations plan. The agency's specialized staff, buildings and equipment may be integral to the plan and may be deployed in the event of a large-scale emergency. The U. S. Office of Homeland Security provides guidance and support for the preparation and maintenance of emergency management plans.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department is integrated into the City’s emergency management system and is aware of its role within the jurisdiction’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The City maintains a comprehensive, all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan that establishes the framework for emergency response, coordination, and recovery across all City departments and partner agencies.
The Emergency Operations Plan defines organizational structure, incident command procedures, and Emergency Support Functions in alignment with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Parks and Recreation staff, facilities, and equipment are identified as potential resources in emergency response efforts, including facility support, congregate care, continuity of operations, and coordination through the Emergency Operations Center when activated.
The Emergency Operations Plan is reviewed and updated periodically, with the most recent comprehensive update completed in June 2024. Due to security considerations, the full plan is not publicly distributed; however, the table of contents and relevant annexes are available for review as evidence of compliance.
Supporting Evidence
8.6a City of Shakopee EOP Table of Contents
8.6.1 In-Service Training for Staff on General Security and Emergency Management
Standard:
Through in-service training, agency personnel shall understand their role in ongoing security and emergency management. In-service training should inform staff of their role in response to critical incidents and emergencies and provide specific procedures for routine operations.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department ensures that all staff receive in-service training on general security and emergency management to support a safe and prepared operating environment. Training is provided for full-time and part-time staff and is designed to clearly define individual roles and responsibilities during routine operations, critical incidents, and emergency situations.
In-service training includes an overview of the department’s Emergency Action Plan, General Security procedures, and disciplinary policies, including suspension and criminal trespass protocols. These trainings ensure staff understand expectations for incident response, reporting, and maintaining safe, welcoming facilities for patrons and staff.
In addition, the Shakopee Police Department and Shakopee Fire Department participate annually in training sessions with front-line part-time staff. These sessions provide an overview of emergency management roles, incident response coordination, and how City departments and public safety agencies work together during emergencies. This collaborative approach reinforces clear communication, coordinated response, and consistent application of emergency procedures across all recreation facilities.
Supporting Evidence
8.6.1 General Security and Emergency Management Training
8.6.1b Guest Service Sign in
8.6.1c Aquatics Sign in
8.6.2 Emergency Risk Communications Plan
Standard:
There shall be a communications plan that is reviewed and updated periodically, to accurately and effectively communicate with the public and experts during a catastrophic event that attracts significant media attention, such as a health emergency, terrorist attack, earthquake or storm. The crisis communication plan shall delineate individuals responsible for communicating with the press, chain of command on notifying proper people of the incident and communicating status updates.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department follows the City’s comprehensive, all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which establishes emergency risk communication procedures. The EOP outlines protocols for accurate and timely communication with the public, media, and subject-matter experts during large-scale or high-profile emergency events.
The plan clearly delineates responsibility for public information and media communications through the Public Information function, identifying primary and supporting roles and establishing coordination with Incident Command and the Emergency Operations Center. Notification procedures, chains of command, and methods for disseminating status updates are defined to ensure consistent messaging throughout an incident.
The EOP identifies multiple communication tools, including emergency alerts, outdoor warning systems, mass notification platforms, and traditional and digital media channels, to support effective public communication during catastrophic events. The Emergency Operations Plan is reviewed and updated periodically, with the most recent comprehensive update completed in April 2025.
Supporting Evidence:8.6.2a EOP - Communications & Public Information
8.6.2b Media Relations Policy
8.6.3 Care and Shelter Procedures
Standard:
There shall be procedures to coordinate with agencies designated to provide care and shelter to those in need during disasters or emergencies.
Narrative:
The City of Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department has established procedures to coordinate with agencies designated to provide care, shelter, and reunification services during disasters or emergency situations. Through formal agreements with partner agencies, the Shakopee Community Center (SCC) serves as a designated emergency response location when activated by the appropriate authority.
The City maintains a Facility Use Agreement with the American Red Cross that authorizes the use of the Shakopee Community Center as a disaster shelter and service site when requested and managed by the Red Cross. This agreement defines roles and responsibilities related to facility access, site coordination, security, custodial services, food service support, and shelter opening and closing procedures. During shelter activation, the Red Cross assumes operational control of care and shelter functions while coordinating closely with City-designated facility staff to ensure safe and effective operations.
In addition, the City maintains an agreement with the Shakopee School District that designates the Shakopee Community Center as a reunification site in the event students are evacuated during emergency situations. This agreement supports coordinated emergency response efforts by providing a safe, accessible location for student accountability and family reunification, in alignment with local emergency management and public safety protocols.
Together, these established agreements demonstrate the City’s ability to coordinate with designated agencies to provide shelter, care, and reunification services during emergencies.
Supporting Evidence:
8.6.3a American Red Cross Facility Use Agreement
8.6.3b Shakopee Community Center Reunification