Friends and neighbors –
For months now I have been highlighting the Democrats’ misguided 2023 school resource officer (SRO) law that has jeopardized teacher and student safety.
To recap: Last session, Democrats and Gov. Walz approved new rules restricting SROs’ ability to do their jobs. The consequences were felt immediately with the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Many law enforcement agencies removed SROs or repositioned them to be stationed outside school buildings. Reports of violence at schools were shared widely. Just last week, an SRO was sent to the hospital after breaking up a fight.
Democrats undermining of school resource officers (and law enforcement more broadly) has put students, teachers, and our communities at risk.
Last week, the legislature finally approved a bill to repair the damage of the 2023 law. With it, most SROs will likely return to schools that want them. It is a good outcome, but I voted against the bill because a critical provision was removed just before the vote.
I will explain: When I was on the school board, we voted to install an SRO in schools following several incidents of student violence. Staff were powerless to intervene and students took advantage of it.
Last week Senate Republicans tried to address that issue. We successfully amended the SRO bill to allow teachers and staff to prevent students from damaging, stealing, or destroying property. It significantly improved the bill. Unfortunately, the provision was removed by a conference committee of Senators and Representatives. It was not included in the final bill.
I have been an enthusiastic supporter of law enforcement and SROs. They play an important role in keeping students, teachers, and school staff safe. They help mentor students to keep them on the right path, as well as refer them to helpful resources. There have been no reports of SROs harming students before the 2023 change.
I am glad we repaired the damage of the Democrat’s 2023 law. But without the key amendment granting staff the ability to protect school property, I could not vote for the bill. That amendment should never have been reviewed, and I hope the issue is revisited in the future.
If you have any questions please let me know. God Bless,