Cooper HS Students Testify for Return of SROs
Students from Cooper High School testified before a House committee hearing Tuesday saying they want to see a return of school resource officers (SROs).
Many local police departments pulled their SROs out of schools due to legal uncertainties that they say were created last year with legislation meant to protect students from certain types of force, specifically prone restraints, a tactic used by a former Minneapolis police officer on George Floyd that ultimately led to his death. Officers felt ambiguities in the law could further set them up for criminal prosecution.
Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, introduced House File 3489 this year to provide further clarity on the SRO issue. The legislation would allow SROs to use any type of restraint on an unruly student if there’s an imminent threat of bodily injury or death to someone else.
But disagreements about the bill remain.
Under Frazier’s bill, SROs are not employees or “agents” of the school they’re located in. Many school districts contract with police departments to provide SROs in school buildings.
Students Testify for Return of SROs
Several Cooper High School students testified in favor of seeing a return of SROs to their school.
“Me, as a Black teen woman in high school, safety is an important factor in my life,” said student Darien Muhen. “I love to be able to walk into my school and feel safe and know that there are SROs present who are watching me to make sure that I am safe constantly throughout the day until I leave out that building.”
Cooper student Chad Hill said SROs also helped build relationships and trust with law enforcement.
“I think everyone knows and can agree that police officers in schools should be about breaking down barriers, if that’s race or gender or whatever it may be,” said Hill. “But I think it’s about community building.”
Frazier said the legislation would require uniform training for SROs across the state.
Cooper student Chad Hill testifies before the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
Questions Remain
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, speaking on behalf of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, says some language in the new bill could be counterproductive. He pointed to the word “shall” in the bill, and wanted to see it changed to “may,” saying it leaves no room for officer discretion.
“Taking literally, this language would require every known criminal violation to result in charges, and youth being sent to the criminal justice system,” said Bruley. “This is in complete opposition to the historical success that SROs have had circumventing the criminal justice system and working with school administration to get better outcomes for our children.”
Bruley also requested an additional six months for officers to complete training — from June 1, 2025 to Dec. 1, 2025 — citing staffing challenges.
Testimony was taken Tuesday before the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
One Republican amendment to bring SROs back failed Tuesday on a 9-6 committee vote. Frazier felt the amendment would eliminate many stakeholder voices “to create a comprehensive system in our schools for safety.”
Frazier’s bill would allow the governor-appointed Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to consult with stakeholders on SRO training standards.
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