School Resource Officers Absent from Multiple Anoka-Hennepin Schools – My MBA Career

Last Updated on August 27, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Title: Anoka-Hennepin School District Removes School Resource Officers Following Changes to Statewide Education Bill

In a recent development, the Anoka-Hennepin School District has decided to do away with school resource officers (SROs) in five of its schools due to changes made to a statewide education bill. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office will no longer station deputies at Andover High School, Oak View High School, Andover Middle School, Crooked Lake Elementary School, and Rum River Elementary School.

The modifications to the education bill explicitly restrict the use of specific physical holds by SROs, including the prone restraint and “comprehensive restraint on the head, neck, and across most of the torso.” While these restrictions have been implemented to safeguard student welfare, law enforcement leaders have raised concerns, indicating that they will hinder their ability to maintain a safe environment for students.

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) expressed its reservations about the law, labeling it “ambiguous and unclear” in a letter it penned. In response to these apprehensions, Anoka-Hennepin Schools has declared its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies to find potential solutions and address their concerns. Moreover, Moorhead Police has also joined the conversation by announcing that they will not provide SROs to the city’s public schools until a resolution is identified.

The Minnesota Attorney General issued a legal opinion to clarify that the amendments made to school discipline laws do not restrict the types of force utilized if they are necessary to prevent bodily harm or death. However, it has been underscored that physical holds must be deemed “reasonable” and shouldn’t be employed if there is no imminent threat to the safety of individuals involved.

Given the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding the law, the executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association has called for additional clarity. The primary concern revolves around the ability to ensure the safety of students and staff within educational institutions. Consequently, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office has decided to remove SROs until there is more certainty regarding the implementation of these changes.

As discussions continue, it is hoped that a collaborative effort between education authorities and law enforcement agencies will result in the identification of effective and acceptable solutions. Ensuring the safety of students remains a top priority, even as policies evolve to strike a balance between education and security.