Republicans, law enforcement call for Minnesota special session over school violence

(The Center Square) – Minnesota law enforcement groups and Republican lawmakers called on Gov. Tim Walz to start a legislative special session on school resource officers after a video of a fight at Mankato East High School was posted to social media.

A new law restricts SROs from pinning a student face-down and bans holds that restrict the ability to breathe, communicate distress, or place pressure on a head, neck, throat, chest or other areas. The bill was part of the education package.

In response to the law, many law enforcement agencies are pulling SROs from schools.

Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, said without SROs in schools, “students are sitting ducks from attacks by fellow students or others entering schools intending harm.”

“The disturbing video from Mankato East High School should be ringing all the alarms in the governor’s office to call a special session to fix this language,” Limmer said in a statement. “How many more kids need to be attacked before Walz realizes the only fix is through the legislature?”

- Advertisement -

Limmer is the Lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and compared the strategy of restricting holds available to SROs to the defunding of the police movement.

Walz’s office hasn’t responded to a request for comment.

Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association General Counsel Imran Ali said the law creates two standards – one for a school district contracted peace officers and one for those who aren’t.

“SROs will now be forced to react to situations in ways that are contrary to their training and department policy, leading to unsafe situations for students, staff and the SROs themselves,” Ali said in a statement. “SROs also face increased risk of civil and criminal liability because of the uncertainty in the law.”

The Minnesota House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus supports the bill restricting SRO holds and restraints.

“As the attorney general made clear in his guidance on the issue, this restriction does not apply when used to prevent bodily harm or death, and the test for reasonable force is unchanged by the new law,” the group said in a statement. The attorney general also made clear that holds used in emergency situations will not subject SROs or other staff to liability.”

- Advertisement -

The POCI caucus said the rule allows schools and communities to choose whether they want SROs.

Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Executive Director Brian Peters called on Walz to activate a special session to change the law.

“We need to get school resource officers back in schools to help increase school safety,” Peters said in a statement. “There are enough votes at the Minnesota Legislature to repeal the law. Governor: let’s get it done.”

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Resignation Deadline for Employees

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration‘s...

Education reformers push Wisconsin lawmakers to raise the bar for reading, math

(The Center Square) – Calls continue at the Wisconsin...

WA lawmaker offers bill to protect inmates from transgender assault

(The Center Square) - A Washington lawmaker has introduced...

Legislation aiming to expand affordable housing in Virginia progresses

(The Center Square) — The General Assembly is pushing...

Bill would give lawmakers power to challenge local ordinances

(The Center Square) – Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton...

Pennsylvania adding to its portfolio of tourism sites

(The Center Square) - The Department of Conservancy and...

Ohio lawmakers want oversight of rulemaking

(The Center Square) – Two Ohio lawmakers are using...

Tax deduction for gambling losses proposed in North Carolina

(The Center Square) – Legal betting nationwide for Sunday’s...

More like this
Related

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Resignation Deadline for Employees

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration‘s...

Education reformers push Wisconsin lawmakers to raise the bar for reading, math

(The Center Square) – Calls continue at the Wisconsin...

WA lawmaker offers bill to protect inmates from transgender assault

(The Center Square) - A Washington lawmaker has introduced...

Legislation aiming to expand affordable housing in Virginia progresses

(The Center Square) — The General Assembly is pushing...