Minnesota Police Officers Endorse Atkins for 52B

State Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights) received the endorsement of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) Tuesday morning, according to a release from the Atkins campaign. 

Atkins is running for representative of , which will encompass Mendota Heights south of Highway 110 and the neighborhood just southwest of Highway 110 and Interstate 35E.

Representing more than 8,500 police officers from across the state, the MPPOA joins in his bid for re-election this fall.

"This endorsement is without reservation," MPPOA spokesperson Dennis Flaherty said in a handwritten letter to Atkins. "It is our hope that our endorsement will advance your candidacy." 

According to the the campaign, Rep. Atkins has worked hard to improve public safety as a legislator:

"(Rep. Atkins) authored Kelsey’s Law to help police find missing children. He also worked with Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom to close a loophole that enabled a convicted sex offender to gain custody of an unrelated child, something that happened in Hastings with tragic consequences.  

"In addition, the 'Atkins Amendment' to the state’s meth law in 2007 made Minnesota’s law the toughest in the country. Passage of the law led to a whopping 96 percent decrease in meth labs in Dakota County, and an 80 percent drop statewide. All of Atkins’s efforts have enjoyed bipartisan support."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of Minnesota’s police officers," Rep. Atkins said in a statement to Patch. "Police officers are willing to put everything on the line each day. The least we can do is stand up for them at the state legislature."

Atkins, 46, is a small business owner, attorney, and former Mayor of Inver Grove Heights. He and his wife, Julia, are lifelong residents of Inver Grove and have three children.