Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton) presented legislation in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Friday recognizing and supporting the important work of law enforcement in Minnesota, including supporting officer recruitment efforts, funding to help cover training costs, and establishing January 9 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in the state
“The members of Minnesota’s law enforcement community do tremendous work each and every day in our state, answering calls that put their lives on the line while keeping us safe,” said Senator Seeberger. “This bill recognizes that incredible work, while also helping with recruitment efforts and covering necessary costs ensuring police officers have the best training they can have.”
Sen. Seeberger’s bill would establish January 9th as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, “in recognition of the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the men and women in law enforcement who keep our communities safe, enforce the rule of law, and respond in times of crisis”. While January 9 is already recognized as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Minnesota does not have its recognition in statute.
The bill also encourages partnerships between school boards and local middle and public schools to educate students about careers in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as well as $7 million in funding for two critical law enforcement needs. Of this funding, $6 million would go to the state Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board to support and strengthen law enforcement training, and $1 million to reimburse local units of government that operate the Pathways to Policing program.