Eagan, Maple Grove, New Hope, White Bear Lake police departments pull school resource officers
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Four more Minnesota police departments are pulling officers out of schools.
Leaders at Maple Grove Senior High School, a part of Osseo Area Schools, informed parents Monday that the Maple Grove Police Department will no longer provide school resource officers (SROs). The officers will be reassigned to patrol duty in the area.
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"Moving forward, our school will contact police if needed, and they will quickly respond," said MGSHS officials.
On the same day, the White Bear Lake Police Department announced it was pulling SROs from White Bear Lake Area Schools, citing an "untenable situation" for the officers.
The move comes just days after the Brooklyn Park Police Department pulled its SROs from another school in the district. Police say a fight broke out last Thursday at Park Center Senior High School, which left the assistant principal injured.
RELATED: Brooklyn Park police pull school resource officers after fight inside Park Center Senior High School
On Tuesday, the New Hope Police Department announced it is suspending its SRO agreement with Robbinsdale Area Public Schools, impacting Cooper High School.
"It has become apparent that the need for more clarity surrounding the legislative changes has created unsustainable challenges for our SROs," said Police Chief Tim Hoyt.
Then on Wednesday, the Eagan Police Department announced that it will remove officers from Eagan schools. However, Sgt. Rich Evans said in a statement that the decision may be temporary, as the department evaluates an opinion on the law released Wednesday by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Several law enforcement agencies across Minnesota have pulled SROs from schools in recent weeks in reaction to a new state law prohibiting officers and school staff members from using certain physical holds on students unless they are considered to be a threat to themselves or others.
RELATED: What is the exact language of the new law concerning school resource officer conduct?
DFL Gov. Tim Walz said earlier this month that he will consider calling a special session for lawmakers to possibly fix language in the legislation, which Republican politicians, law enforcement agencies and their unions have said could open up intervening SROs to criminal charges, and their departments to expensive lawsuits and settlements.
RELATED: Police, school officials reiterate call for special session over SRO flap
Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, said in a statement released Monday evening that the SRO law controversy "is not a partisan issue."
"Precious minutes will be lost if the schools need to call for patrol officers to respond and this could result in more serious injuries to students and staff … Everyone wants this fixed. Governor Walz should call the Legislature back into Special Session so we can provide the needed clarity in statute so our students, teachers, and staff all can have a great school year," Robbins said.