Officials announce $4.5M in funding to support Minnesota law enforcement recruitment, training
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Top state leaders announced millions in funding Tuesday to support the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training Program for law enforcement recruitment and training across Minnesota.
During an afternoon news conference, Gov. Tim Walz was joined by other leaders, including Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, at a college in Brooklyn Park. There, officials detailed the new funding — $4.5 million — that will go to 46 law enforcement agencies.
The program is unique, designed for students who already have two-year and four-year degrees.
"The goal is to reach people who want to make a career transition, but may not have the means otherwise," said Hennepin Technical College Academic Dean Cara Garrett.
Traditionally, candidates go through a year and a half or more of training but the new program will cut that down to about eight months.
The program will be offered at two locations — Hennepin Technical College and Alexandria Technical & Community College.
Students going through the course will start with classes based of foundational knowledge before moving on to scenario-based learning where students will learn de-escalation skills, interview techniques, mental health training and more.
Walz stressed that the new program would also help shore up numbers for police departments around the state.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to those human interactions and having enough bodies to do the work," Walz said.
"We don't want to sacrifice quality and effective policing just to make our staffing numbers. Rather, we want to find candidates who reflect the community and bring wiht them a variety of life skills that can continue to transform the Law Enforcement profession," said New Brighton Public Safety Director Tony Paetznick.
Several of the students currently going through the training were also present.
"I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in psychology. I got into sales three or four years ago and two years ago I took a strong interest in law enforcement," said student Zach Crowely. "But it was always a difficult career path for me to get into due to me having to give up on my full-time job to go to school. Because of this program and what they provide to us financially, that financial burden has kind of been lifted off our shoulders."
Fifty-thousand dollars is available for each candidate. The funding covers their salary and cost of education.
More information on the ICPOET can be found here.