More MN Police Departments Suspend School Resource Officer Programs

MINNESOTA — At least ten police departments and three county sheriffs so far have suspended their school resource officer programs this month in response to a new law passed by Minnesota Democrats last spring.

The new law restricts officers from holding students in a prone position and other restraints. Law enforcement officials say they are concerned the new restrictions will prevent them from breaking up hallway fights and other school incidents.

Prone restraint and certain physical holds not allowed.

(a) An employee or agent of a district, including a school resource officer, security personnel, or police officer contracted with a district, shall not use prone restraint.

(b) An employee or agent of a district, including a school resource officer, security personnel, or police officer contracted with a district, shall not inflict any form of physical holding that restricts or impairs a pupil's ability to breathe; restricts or impairs a pupil's ability to communicate distress; places pressure or weight on a pupil's head, throat, neck, chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen; or results in straddling a pupil's torso.

"The way the law is written right now, we are unable to find a viable way for our officers to provide safe and effective service in the schools," said Plymouth Public Safety Director Erik Fadden in a statement Thursday.

"The ability to physically intervene is necessary to de-escalate situations and protect students and staff. The changes in state law may make these measures illegal, and subject officers and police departments to criminal and civil liability."

The following law enforcement agencies have suspended their school resource officer programs:

City Police Departments

• Alexandria Police Department
• Blaine Police Department
• Burnsville Police Department
• Champlin Police Department
• Coon Rapids Police Department
• Faribault Police Department
• Moorhead Police Department
• Plymouth Police Department
• Redwood Falls Police Department
• Wayzata Police Department

County Sheriffs

• Anoka County Sheriff's Office
• Clay County Sheriff's Office
• Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

The law went into effect Aug 1. Tuesday is the first day of school for most districts in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Republicans are calling for a special legislative session so the new law can be repealed.

"School resource officers play a critical role in ensuring school safety. But sadly, our schools are less safe today due to the Minnesota DFL's extreme, single-party control, and their zealous anti-police agenda has put students, teachers, and staff in danger," Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann said in a statement.

"Governor Tim Walz and legislative Democrats should listen to the serious concerns raised today by law enforcement and legislative Republicans, who are calling for an immediate and brief special session to address this critical issue. I encourage all Minnesotans who support a special session to address this critical gap in school safety to contact their elected officials."

Since Aug. 14, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MPCA) has formally sought clarification from state officials on the law but has been unsatisfied with the response.

"Students, Teachers, School Administrators and Staff, and parents all deserve clarity on the expectations of what force SROs and agents can use to keep schools and school events safe," MPCA Executive Director Jeff Potts wrote in a letter to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

"We want to avoid any impacts on school and student safety due to the lack of clarity of the law and important unanswered questions. This lack of clarity has created enough concern that some Chiefs are now having to carefully determine the risk both SROs and students may be put in under this new law."

The new language was passed in the Democrats' omnibus education bill last session.

Gov. Tim Walz and Ellison argue that the new law does not limit the types of reasonable force that may be used by school staff and school resource officers.