ALEXANDRIA — Last year, the state Legislature included some provisions in an omnibus education bill that amended the chapter of law governing students rights, responsibilities and behaviors.
According to the League of Minnesota Cities, the amended law generated conflicting legal interpretations and created ambiguity for School Resource Officers and whether those officers had the authority to use reasonable force according to state statutes.
Because of this, some law enforcement agencies suspended or terminated contracts for the SRO program with school districts.
For Alexandria Public Schools, the program wasn’t necessarily stopped, but it was different. Instead of having School Resource Officers who were inside school buildings during the school day, there were juvenile investigators who were floating between the schools on more of an as-needed basis, according to Scott Kent, Alexandria Police Chief.
Last month, however, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law clarifying the authority of the SRO. The new law went into effect on March 15.
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One of the key provisions of the new law states that beginning on Sept. 1, 2025, any peace officer assigned to serve as an SRO must complete a training course.
Chief Kent said it wasn’t a requirement before. He said an SRO would be assigned and then they would get into the training program.
Both of the juvenile investigators, who will now go back to being SROs, have had training. Kent said Officer Brandon Plumski had training previously and Officer James Ross recently attended training. Kent also noted that Alexandria Superintendent Rick Sansted and staff have agreed to bring in the National School Resource Officer for more training.
The new requirement, as of Sept. 1, 2025, will be that before any officer goes into a school, they must have training.
Another key provision of the new law, according to the League on Minnesota Cities includes that SRO’s contractual duties with a school district include seven specified items, including the following:
- Fostering a positive school climate through relationship building and open communication.
- Protecting students, staff and visitors to the school grounds from criminal activity.
- Serving as a liaison between law enforcement and school officials.
- Providing advice on safety drills.
- Identifying vulnerabilities in school facilities and safety procedures.
- Educating and advising students and staff on law enforcement topics.
- Enforcing criminal laws.
SROs and use of force
So, what about the use of force or physical contact with students? Under the new law, Kent said if things are getting volatile, SROs can step in. However, if a student isn’t following the policies set forth by the school, like showing up late, SROs would not get involved.
Sansted said when the school district and the police department are clear about who is responsible for what, it can help clear up any confusing situations. He also said the district has a great partnership with the Alexandria Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
If a student was putting other students in harm’s way, an SRO could step in and restrain that student.
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“If there’s a fight starting to brew, we’re certainly going to intercede with that,” said Kent.
Both Kent and Sansted said there really isn’t that much different with the new law that wasn’t being done before. Kent said the SRO program in Alexandria has evolved over the years, but that they are pretty much doing exactly what they were doing prior to the legislative change. Other than the requirement of training, he added.
Sansted said the other thing that’s happened over the last three or four years is how the school district and law enforcement have been more intentional about training together over the summer, not just from a school and SRO standpoint, but on a countywide basis for emergency management.
“That has been an awesome collaboration, led by some of Scott’s team members over the last few years,” said Sansted.
Appreciative of partnerships
Prior to the start of the new school year this coming fall, the APD and the school district will be working on an agreeable contract that also aligns with the legislative changes and state statutes.
“The partnership is strong in the interest of school and community safety,” said Sansted. “And we appreciate the engagement of our local law enforcement and the partnership that helps us ensure a safe school experience.”
Kent also added that the community as a whole has been very supportive and understanding and that the legislators he worked with were very attune to the needs and wanted to make it right for the community.
Next year, Plumski and Ross will once again be the SROs at the Alexandria Area High School and Discovery Middle. They will work at the schools during school hours.
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Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be working at three elementary schools – Garfield, Miltona and Carlos. Although Sansted said their duties never really changed as they are Community Liaisons and not SROs.
Key provisions in the law
The new law contains several new and clarifying provisions. It:
- Defines the terms “school” and “school resource officer.”
- Amends the authorization for the use of force to apply in situations where it is necessary to restrain the child or pupil to prevent bodily harm or death to the child, pupil, or another, and clarifies that SROs have the authority to use reasonable force as specified in the use of force section of law, Minnesota Statutes, section 609.06.
- States that an SRO must not use force or the authority of the SRO’s office to enforce school rules or policies, or participate in the enforcement of discipline for violation of school rules.
- States that, beginning on Sept. 1, 2025, any peace officer assigned to serve as an SRO must complete a training course.
- Requires the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board to develop a model SRO policy by Dec. 31, 2024.
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