Merlin Pooniwala

Current agency: Minneapolis Police Dept.Minneapolis, MN

Combined career data aggregated across all known agencies.

1Agencies

--Current Salary

0 / 0Civil Casesactive / total

--Liability Costs

--Arrests

0Reports

Licenses & certification

Licenses issued to this individual by a licensing authority.

Peace Officer

Status: Active
First awarded: Jul 5, 2022
Issued by: MN POST

Education & training

Recorded courses, newest completion dates first.

MPD MN CIT 2026 8-Hour Mental Health Refresher

Completed: Feb 24, 2026
Credits: 8
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: Gennae Falconer, Mary Warin, Amber Barnes, Morganne Napoleoni-Montez, Karen Knab, Nicole Murray, and Sara Johnstone

Law Enforcement Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, & Resiliency

Completed: Jan 14, 2026
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Wellness That Fits, LLC - SP10560
Instructor: Mental Wellness Therapy and Consulting, LLC

2025 Use of Force Day 3

Completed: Oct 1, 2025
Credits: 6
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711

2025 Use of Force Day 2- Taser 10 Transition Course

Completed: Jun 27, 2025
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711

2025 Use of Force Day 2- Empty Hand Technique

Completed: Jun 27, 2025
Credits: 3
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Tom Menton, Chad Malmberg

Crimes Motivated by Bias

Completed: Jun 26, 2025
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Serving Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Part 1

Completed: Jun 26, 2025
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631

2025 Use of Force Day 1- Policy Suite Introduction

Completed: May 2, 2025
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Sgt. Mark Hanneman, Officer Dominic Manelli, and Officer Melissa Hansen

2025 Use of Force Day 1

Completed: May 2, 2025
Credits: 5
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711

2025 Use of Force Day 1- Force Guiding Principles

Completed: May 2, 2025
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Sgt. Mark Hanneman, Officer Dominic Manelli, and Officer Melissa Hansen

8-Hour MH Refresher and Crisis De-Escalation with Scenarios

Completed: Feb 10, 2025
Credits: 8
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

2025 MPD Handgun Qualification, Low Light Patrol Rifle Operator Qual, Back-Up Gun Qual, and Shotgun Qual

Completed: Jan 13, 2025
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Shawn Kelly, Juan Valencia, Jason Schmitt, Lonnie Hoffbeck

2024 Use of Force- Taser 7 Annual Recertification

Completed: Dec 27, 2024
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2024 Use of Force- ABLE Refresher

Completed: Dec 27, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2024 Use of Force- Empty Hand Technique 3

Completed: Dec 27, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Use of Force Part 2: Law and Principles

Completed: Dec 26, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Use of Force Part 3: Readiness

Completed: Dec 26, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Duty to Intercede

Completed: Dec 22, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT))

Narcan Carry and Use

Completed: Dec 22, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Crimes Motivated by Bias

Completed: Dec 22, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Use of Force Part 1: Laws and Priciples

Completed: Dec 22, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Policing Protests

Completed: Dec 22, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Mental Health Part 1

Completed: Dec 17, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Mental Health Part 2 - Societal Issues and Challenges

Completed: Dec 17, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Serving Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder- Part 4

Completed: Dec 17, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

Bloodborne Pathogens

Completed: Nov 23, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT)) - SP09631
Instructor: League Of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (Lmc)

2024 Use of Force- Empty Hand Technique 2

Completed: Nov 6, 2024
Credits: 2
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2024 Use of Force- De-Escalation

Completed: Nov 6, 2024
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2024 Use of Force- Introduction to Expanding Incidents

Completed: Nov 6, 2024
Credits: 3
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2024 Use of Force- Empty Hand Technique 1

Completed: Nov 6, 2024
Credits: 2
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

MN CIT 40-Hour Course DAY 5

Completed: Oct 4, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

MN CIT 40-Hour Course DAY 4

Completed: Oct 3, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

MN CIT 40-Hour Course Day 3

Completed: Oct 2, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

MN CIT 40Hour Course DAY 2

Completed: Oct 1, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

MN CIT 40-Hour Course DAY 1

Completed: Sep 30, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT)

2024 Engaging with Minors- Classroom

Completed: Sep 17, 2024
Credits: 8
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Minneapolis EVOC, Pursuit Refresher-Driving only

Completed: Jul 26, 2024
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Dakota County Technical College - SP09271
Instructor: Dakota County Technical College

2024 Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Online Learning Modules

Completed: Jul 26, 2024
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

2023 Taser New Operator Course

Completed: Jul 18, 2024
Credits: 3
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (A.B.L.E.)

Completed: Jul 8, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (I.C.A.T.)

Completed: Jun 28, 2024
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (I.C.A.T.)

Completed: Jun 25, 2024
Credits: 7
Sponsor: Minneapolis Police Dept. - SP02711
Instructor: Minneapolis Police Dept.

Duty-Handgun Qualification 2023

Completed: Mar 15, 2023
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Ramsey Co. Sheriff's Office - SP06200
Instructor: Ramsey Co. Sheriffs Office

MN CIT 40 Hour Certification Course / Cultural Diversity-Implicit Bias

Completed: Feb 17, 2023
Credits: 4
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: Mn Cit Officers Association (Crisis Intervention Team)

MN CIT 40-hour certificate class/ Crisis Intervention Mental Illness Crisis

Completed: Feb 17, 2023
Credits: 16
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: Mn Cit Officers Association (Crisis Intervention Team)

MN CIT 40-Hour Certificate Class: Conflict Management / Mediation

Completed: Feb 17, 2023
Credits: 16
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: Mn Cit Officers Association (Crisis Intervention Team)

MN CIT 40-hour Certification Class / Autism

Completed: Feb 17, 2023
Credits: 4
Sponsor: MN Crisis Intervention Team (MNCIT) - SP10172
Instructor: Mn Cit Officers Association (Crisis Intervention Team)

Less Lethal Impact Munitions - 40mm

Completed: Jan 26, 2023
Credits: 2
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Less Lethal Impact Munitions - 40mm

Completed: Dec 3, 2022
Credits: 2
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Adverse Weather Handgun Exercise 2022

Completed: Nov 7, 2022
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Ramsey Co. Sheriff's Office - SP06200
Instructor: Ramsey Co. Sheriffs Office

Emergency Vehicle Operations and Police Pursuits Refresher

Completed: Oct 31, 2022
Credits: 8
Sponsor: Dakota County Technical College - SP09271
Instructor: Dakota County Technical College

Less Lethal Taser 7

Completed: Oct 27, 2022
Credits: 3
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Use of Force Control Tactics

Completed: Oct 25, 2022
Credits: 3
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Sexual Assault Response Training

Completed: Oct 13, 2022
Credits: 4
Sponsor: Ramsey Co. Sheriff's Office - SP06200
Instructor: Ramsey Co. Sheriffs Office

SFST-Standardized Field Sobriety Testing/2 Day

Completed: Oct 11, 2022
Credits: 16
Sponsor: Minnesota State Patrol - SP00003
Instructor: Minnesota State Patrol

Low Light Handgun Exercise 2022

Completed: Oct 3, 2022
Credits: 1
Sponsor: Ramsey Co. Sheriff's Office - SP06200
Instructor: Ramsey Co. Sheriffs Office

2021 Use of Force

Completed: Jul 13, 2022
Credits: 6
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Less Lethal Taser 7

Completed: Jul 8, 2022
Credits: 3
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

New Officer Firearms Training and Qualifications - Handgun

Completed: Jul 7, 2022
Credits: 8
Sponsor: North St. Paul Police Dept. - SP06207
Instructor: North St. Paul Police Dept.

Civil Cases

Cases connected through agency assignments.

Agencies

Known agency assignments linked to this profile.

Agency	Role	License	Start Date	End Date	Status
Minneapolis Police Dept.	Peace Officer	Peace Officer	Jul 5, 2022	Present	Active