In the wake of heightened concerns about school safety and police accountability, Minnesota's DFL lawmakers have rolled out a new bill aimed at setting a clear standard for School Resource Officers (SROs) statewide. On February 6th, DFL legislators in both the Minnesota House and Senate put forth legislation designed to establish comprehensive norms for districts choosing to implement SRO programs, clarifying the use-of-force policies that have come under scrutiny in recent months.
"Safe schools are the foundation for a well-educated society," Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL – New Hope), who authored the bill in the House, emphasized. Frazier's statement, which was obtained by the senatedfl.mn, reflects a growing push towards balancing security measures with the preservation of student rights. Similarly, Sen. Bonnie Westlin (DFL – Plymouth), the Senate bill's lead author, pointed to the meticulous crafting of this legislation, informed by a consortium of voices from various spheres – from educators and law enforcement to advocates and community members.
Following the broader movement for police reform ignited by the murder of George Floyd, Minnesota had previously banned the use of chokeholds in law enforcement and had updated guidelines around the use of force in schools. However, ambiguous legal directives have necessitated further legislative action, prompting this current endeavor to codify the role and training of SROs – which includes prohibiting their involvement in school policy discipline, a point that law enforcement agencies and school districts have sought clarity on.
The bill dictates that a minimum standard for SRO conduct be put forth by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board. This comprehensive policy would outline the appropriate use of force, strategies for de-escalating conflicts, and avenues for rendering care, among other critical components. According to Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview), who chairs the House Public Safety Committee, the proposal is the culmination of months of dialogue aimed at fostering unity among stakeholders in the pursuit of student safety. "I look forward to continued work on the legislation and conversations with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders," Moller stated in discussions highlighted by the senatedfl.mn.
With a scheduled public hearing in the House Education Policy Committee on February 12 at 4 p.m., the bill appears set to propel conversations around SROs and student welfare to the forefront of legislative scrutiny. More information regarding the specifics of the proposed legislation and related proceedings is available on the committee’s webpage, providing a transparent glimpse into a process that seeks to redefine school policing in Minnesota.
