The SPPD is the second largest law enforcement agency in Minnesota, after the Minneapolis Police Department.

[4] Sergeant Hetznecke is credited with introducing the Sam Browne belt and badge that became synonymous with school patrol across the country and administering St. Paul's program for 30 years.

In 1936, the chief, Thomas Brown was fired after an investigation showed he had protected criminals including the Dillinger and the Barker-Karpis gangs.

[6] In March 2011, the elite Gang Strike Force was disestablished when a state audit could not account for 13 vehicles and over $18,000 in cash the unit had seized.

[7] Press reports indicated the unit used money taken from gang members to attend a 2009 professional conference held in Hawaii.