Maple Grove Lawmaker Calls for Special Session on School Resource Officers
Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, is calling for a special session on school resource officers (SROs).
Limmer, who is the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, says a special session is needed to clarify language on actions SROs can take to break up physical altercations in schools.
“I do not want to be overly dramatic but without School Resource Officers (SRO) in our schools, students are sitting ducks from attacks by fellow students or others entering schools intending harm,” said Limmer in a statement to CCX News.
The state law prohibits school resource officers from using prone restraints on unruly students. Police have told CCX News that the law creates confusion and new liability concerns for school resource officers.
CCX News reported on Friday that Brooklyn Park police decided to pull out of their schools with SRO contracts after a fight between two students at Park Center High School that injured a staff member.
Limmer said the Education Conference Committee bypassed the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee before the language changes were passed, resulting in unheard concerns from law enforcement, parents and school administrators.
“I believe a majority of legislators remain open to a special session. [Governor] Walz needs to decide if he will cave to a radical minority that recognize this legislation as an extension of the Defund Police movement, or will he take seriously the concerns from students and parents that want to see SROs back in schools on a regular basis,” said Limmer.
In a letter to local city leaders, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, says she’s “committed” to working together on the issue. She says it’s her hope to “get SROs back in schools as soon as possible.”
Rep. Hortman in a statement to CCX News.
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