Type:	Mutual Aid Agreements
Major Crimes Investigations Unit / Drug & Gang Task Force
Agency, Counties or Groups involved in the process:	Benton County, Morrison County, Stearns County, Todd County and the City of St. Cloud. The Drug and Gang Task Force is overseen by the State of MN and the MCIU Board of Officials, which consists of County Sheriffs, St. Cloud Chief of Police, County Attorneys and the St. CLoud city attorney.
Why did you collaborate on this effort?	Unit provides manpower and equipment in the event of a major criminal investigation (murder, kidnapping, etc.) Drug and Gang Strike Force is a subdivision of the MCIU and is the State recognized drug and gang unit in central MN.
Keys to success / challenges / lessons learned / advice to others:	Competent and professional public safety responses to major criminal acts within the particpating jurisdictions. Ongoing effort to curb illegal drugs and the gangs that profit from the sales of those illegal drugs.
What have been the outcomes to-date?	Cooperative efforts brings results for the entire area not just specific smaller regions.
Resources:	One of the most sucessful drug enforcement units in the state. The state held up the MCIU's Drug Unit as an example when the it recently restuctured the Gang Strike Force into the new Drug and Gang Task Forces.
For more information, please contact:	Robert Raupp, Chair, MCIU / benton County Attorney rraupp@co.benton.mn.us

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