Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is holding the first of a series of listening sessions in Rochester.

Tuesday’s session will be held at Century High School from 10:00 to 11:30 AM.

DPS says the sessions are designed to “explore the values and characteristics community members believe contribute to trust in police officers.”

Community members throughout Minnesota will be able to provide recommendations about what they believe is most important in the recruitment and selection of women and men for state law enforcement agencies including the Minnesota State Patrol, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement.

“The input we receive at these listening sessions will help guide us in the recruitment and hiring of officers, agents and troopers, ensuring that we are in alignment with community and stakeholder values,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington. “Our hope is that intentionally involving the community in this process will result in an increased level of trust and provide a framework that other police departments around the state may wish to follow.”

Information gathered at the sessions will be available on the DPS website. DPS will host a follow-up meeting next year to explain how participants’ input was integrated into the agency’s recruitment and selection policies. In addition, participants will be able to meet employees who were hired as a result of the process.

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