Funding to be given for training and recruitment of Minnesota law enforcement
Governor Tim Walz announces $4.5 million in grants for 46 law enforcement agencies in Minnesota.
On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz announced $4.5 million in grants for 46 law enforcement agencies in Minnesota. The money will be used to support officer training and recruitment.
“Police departments of all sizes are feeling the pinch of fewer officers,” Governor Walz said. “We’re investing in building strong, well-trained law enforcement agencies that are fully staffed and ready to answer any call that comes in.”
According to the governor’s office, the agencies receiving this funding will sponsor 94 candidates with two-and four-year degrees who want to make a career transition into law enforcement. All candidates will attend an intensive, comprehensive training program at Alexandria Technical & Community College or Hennepin Technical College where they will go through the same training that traditional peace officer students complete.
“Minnesotans deserve to feel safe no matter where they live,” said Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. “Our goal is to provide this for them, but staffing challenges make this increasingly difficult.”
DPS’ Office of Justice Programs has approved $4.5 million in grant funding to the agencies. $50,000 is available for each candidate. The funding covers their salary and cost of education.
Agencies awarded grants include the following departments:
- Belle Plaine Police
- Big Stone County Sheriff
- Blaine Police
- Bloomington Police
- Brooklyn Center Police
- Brooklyn Park Police
- Carver County Sheriff
- Chisago County Sheriff
- Columbia Heights Police
- Edina Police
- Faribault Police
- Farmington Police
- Freeborn County Sheriff
- Fridley Police
- Hennepin County Sheriff
- Hopkins Police
- Lakeville Police
- Lino Lakes Police
- Maple Grove Police
- Medina Police
- Mendota Heights Police
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Police
- Minneapolis Police
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Airport Police
- Minnetonka Police
- Moorhead Police
- New Brighton Police
- Orono Police
- Owatonna Police
- Prairie Island Indian Community Police
- Richfield Police
- Rosemount Police
- Roseville Police
- Sartell Police
- St. Anthony Police
- Stearns County Sheriff
- St. Louis Park Police
- St. Paul Police
- University of Minnesota Police
- Wadena Police
- Waite Park Police
- Waseca County Sheriff
- Wayzata Police
- West Hennepin Public Safety
- Woodbury Public Safety
- Wyoming Police
According to a release from the Governor’s Office, the Intensive Comprehensive Grant Program enhances existing law enforcement recruiting programs. The ideal candidate is a non-traditional student who wants to work in law enforcement, but who faces challenges committing to the traditional 1.5 year-long education timeline. The program reduces the learning period to eight months or less.
“This has been a game-changer,” Tony Paetznick, director of public safety for the city of New Brighton said in the release. “If not for the program and commitment from the state, it would be difficult for any of us to fund an initiative like this. Additionally, the training the candidates get while earning a salary for their classroom time opens doors for quality people who might not otherwise consider careers in law enforcement.”