Purpose

This bill extends and clarifies funding to support law enforcement use-of-force training. It creates reimbursement grants for eligible postsecondary schools to provide in-service training on use of force, including deadly force, for peace officers. The goal is to improve officers’ training with real-world scenarios, stress management, de-escalation, and other risk-reduction practices.

Main Provisions and What It Seeks to Accomplish

• Appropriation and funding:
  • Provides 250,000 in the first year to reimburse eligible postsecondary schools for offering the specified training.
  • Up to 2.5% of the funding may be used for administration and monitoring of the program.
  • The appropriation is available through June 30, 2027.
• Eligibility and approval:
  • Training must meet requirements of Minnesota Statutes section 626.8452.
  • Training programs must be approved by the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
• Training requirements:
  • Must use scenario-based training that simulates real-world situations.
  • Training may involve real firearms that fire nonlethal ammunition.
  • Must include blocks of instruction on:
  • Physical and psychological effects of stress before, during, and after high-risk or traumatic incidents, and the cumulative impact of stress on officer health.
  • De-escalation methods and tactics.
  • Bias, unknown risk training, defensive tactics, and force-on-force training.
  • Training must be offered to peace officers at no cost to the officer or their agency.
• Reimbursement mechanics:
  • Postsecondary schools may apply for reimbursement for the costs of offering the training.
  • Reimbursement is $450 for each officer who completes the training.
  • Schools must report the name and peace officer license number of the officer who received the training to the Office of Higher Education.
• Definitions:
  • “Law enforcement agency” and “peace officer” have the meanings provided in Minnesota statutes (626.84).

Training Content and Delivery Details

• Scenario-based, real-world simulations using nonlethal firearms.
• Emphasis on the impact of stress and trauma on officers, including mental and physical health.
• Focus on de-escalation, bias awareness, unknown risk considerations, defensive tactics, and force-on-force concepts.
• No-charge training for officers and agencies.

Funding, Administration, and Oversight

• Administration by the Office of Higher Education (OHE) for reimbursement grants.
• Required approval by POST for training programs to qualify.
• A portion of funds limited to administration and monitoring (up to 2.5%).

Eligibility and Oversight

• Postsecondary schools must be certified to provide professional peace officer education to qualify.
• Courses must meet statutory standards (626.8452) and be POST-approved.
• Reporting requirements include submitting officer name and license number to OHE.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends the availability of funds for law enforcement use-of-force training through June 30, 2027.
• Establishes a reimbursement mechanism for postsecondary institutions delivering in-service use-of-force training.
• Specifies content requirements for in-service training (stress management, de-escalation, bias, risk training, etc.) and requires scenario-based, potentially live-fire (nonlethal ammunition) elements.
• Mandates free training for peace officers and their agencies and ties funding to officer completion with per-officer reimbursement.
• Expands oversight and alignment with existing statutes and POST requirements.

Expected Impact

• Aims to standardize and improve in-service use-of-force training across Minnesota.
• Encourages collaboration with higher education institutions to deliver comprehensive training modules.
• Seeks to ensure training addresses officer wellness, de-escalation, bias, and tactical skills, while providing funding support to schools and agencies.

Relevant Terms use-of-force training, deadly force, peace officer, law enforcement agency, postsecondary school, Office of Higher Education, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), scenario-based training, nonlethal ammunition, stress, physical effects of stress, psychological effects of stress, de-escalation, bias, unknown risk training, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, reimbursement, administration, monitoring, Minnesota Statutes 626.84, Minnesota Statutes 626.8452, officer license number, completion rate, funding extension, grant program.