Senate Republicans unveiled a legislative package Thursday, billed the “C.O.P.S. Program–Creating Opportunities in Public Safety.” According to Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, the $65 million effort focuses on the recruitment of peace officers to address the statewide shortage.
Among the six-bill package, Senator Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, proposes a measure requiring the Department of Public Safety to launch a $1 million campaign to “build up the entire field of law enforcement.” She said the measure would demonstrate the “value and need for being a police officer.”
Stating that there is a shortage in the number of licensed officers available to apply for law enforcement openings, Senator John Jasinski, R-Faribault, proposes a bill that would offer scholarships to students who attend Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for law enforcement programs. He also is sponsoring a bill that would provide funding for the Pathways to Policing Program in an effort to attract non-traditional job applicants. Senator Justin Eichorn, R- Grand Rapids, added that his bill would provide $1,500 in additional financial aid for Minnesota students enrolling in law enforcement education.
Senator Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, offers a plan that would incentivize law enforcement as a long-term career by providing financial reimbursement to licensed police officers who have been working for a certain amount of time. Senator Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, added that his bill will provide a $10,000 signing bonus for new officers after one year of service in the same department.
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