Background Information

Since 2018, Falcon Heights has contracted with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) for police services. With that contract set to expire on December 31, 2024, and a mutual decision not to extend coverage beyond February 2025, Falcon Heights sought a new long-term policing partner. After evaluating options, city officials chose to re-establish a partnership with St. Anthony Village, which previously provided policing services to Falcon Heights from 1994 to 2017 and still provides services to neighboring Lauderdale. Falcon Heights city leaders cited the impressive work the SAPD has continued to do, including their region-leading transparency and their collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The decision to return to SAPD comes after both cities took time to reflect on the past partnership, incorporating lessons both parties learned and developing a new contract that reflects the needs of St. Anthony Village, Lauderdale and Falcon Heights residents.

Additional Information: 

• 2023 Law Enforcement Contract Analysis Study
• 2016-2017 Inclusion and Policing Task Force

Contract Details

Under the new partnership, the St. Anthony Police Department (SAPD) will provide 24/7 emergency response within Falcon Heights beginning in March 2025. SAPD will also begin a phased increase in daily patrols within city limits following its 21st Century Policing philosophy, as additional officers become available. Patrol hours will ramp up as staffing permits, with 24-hour patrols expected by January 2027.

The new partnership includes a commitment to prioritizing formal and informal communication between the Falcon Heights, St. Anthony Village and Lauderdale City Councils to ensure stability and ongoing alignment on contract management, service expectations and shared risk. A new Joint Operations Committee consisting of City leaders and SAPD command staff will meet quarterly to review expectations and service levels.

The agreement is structured to allow flexibility as SAPD scales up staffing. Initially, Falcon Heights will pay for services based on the level of dedicated patrol coverage provided, with costs adjusting as service levels increase. The city has allocated funds in its 2025 budget to account for this transition. The projected costs for 2025 reflects a significant decrease from current costs for police services, so the 2025 annual levy was reduced to a 2.77% increase.