In the wake of multiple police fatalities in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) will introduce a resolution in the special session to affirm the Minnesota legislature’s commitment to support peace officers. The resolution also rebukes the governor’s inflammatory public statements that police racism was a factor in the tragic shooting death of Philando Castile before all of the evidence was made public.

“Minnesota’s police officers put their lives on the line on a daily basis to keep all of us safe, but officers are being targeted and killed in our country for simply wearing their uniform,” said Sen. Ingebrigtsen. “No elected representative should make the kind of incendiary remarks Gov. Dayton made when he accused police officers of racism before the facts were known. Premature, reckless accusations fan the flames of intolerance and fear and lead to even more violence. My resolution will allow elected representatives to register their disapproval of Gov. Dayton’s rush to judgment and show their unwavering support for our local law enforcement officers.”

Senator Ingebrigtsen served as Douglas County Sheriff for 16 years and Deputy Sheriff for 19 years.

——————

A resolution expressing support of peace officers and denouncing Gov. Dayton’s rush to judgment

WHEREAS, Minnesota’s 10,632 licensed peace officers put their lives at risk every day with every shift in order to keep all Minnesotans safe; and

WHEREAS, the conduct and training of all Minnesota officers are governed by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, the first law enforcement occupational licensing system in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the POST Board mandates every officer complete annual use of force training; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota peace officers have thousands of positive interactions with citizens every day; and

WHEREAS, there is an increase in tension between police and the people they serve both in Minnesota and across the country; and

WHEREAS, that tension is manifesting itself in unprecedented acts of violence against police, including the killing of six Dallas police officers on July 9, 2016, and three Baton Rouge police officers on July 17, 2016; and

WHEREAS, both the public and the police are influenced by the actions and words of leaders at all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, before any investigation was complete or any facts brought forward, Governor Mark Dayton reacted to the tragic shooting death of Philando Castile on July 6, 2016, by ascribing racist motives to the peace officers involved, saying “Would this have happened if those passengers and the driver were white? I don’t think it would’ve”; and

WHEREAS, Governor Dayton re-affirmed his initial statements the next day saying “I said them. I’m not going to go back and rehash them. I stand by what I said yesterday”; and

WHEREAS, Governor Dayton’s irresponsible statements are an affront to the integrity and professionalism of not only the police involved in the Castile shooting, but of all licensed peace officers in Minnesota; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Minnesota Legislature supports and affirms the important and dangerous work of the 10,632 peace officers keeping all Minnesotans safe each day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minnesota Legislature denounces and condemns the harmful statements made by Governor Mark Dayton regarding the Castile shooting and admonish him and all leaders to demonstrate a higher level of restraint in the future.