Dennis R. Jahnke

Captain, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office

Dennis joined the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office in March 2001 after earning a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has worked across multiple divisions, including Jail, Courts, Background Investigations, Investigations, and Criminal Intelligence Division (CID).

Captain Jahnke also served on the ESU team for 17 years including 10 years leading the ESU Sniper Team as team leader and Sgt. Most recently, he oversaw the HCSO Shield program and was the Investigative Support Center Manager of the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas for Minnesota and leads the HCSO Threat Assessment Team within CID. Additionally, he is an FBI Task Force Officer assigned to liaison with the Threat Management Coordinator at the Minneapolis Field Office. He was twice chosen for a fellowship position within the FBI, bringing his practical knowledge to the Bureau’s Active Shooter Initiative at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC. He was on the adjunct faculty for Texas State University and currently with Louisiana State University teaching criminal intelligence, emergency preparedness and tactical response training to officers/analysts facing criminal or terrorist attacks. He also is a certified Master Trainer with the DHS National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office.

Captain Jahnke routinely is invited to teach and speak at conferences at private sector events throughout the United States on topics including the active shooter phenomenon, terrorism, countering violent extremism, and sovereign citizens. Conferences attendees come from a variety of professions including law enforcement, military, emergency management services, fire, probation, private sector security, mental health, and threat assessment professionals.