The Minnesota Senate today passed a comprehensive public safety bill that provides critical funding to hold criminals accountable and keep Minnesota’s communities safe. This legislation focuses on supporting law enforcement, addressing growing crime rates throughout the state, and increasing transparency and accountability in prosecution decisions. There are three main objectives in the bill: provide support for law enforcement recruitment and retention; toughen penalties for criminal activity; and increase transparency and accountability in judicial and prosecutorial actions.
To provide support for law enforcement, the bill includes two provisions already passed by the Senate this year. The first is funding for the Department of Public Safety to develop and conduct an advertising campaign to elevate the law enforcement profession. The second provision contains funding for the award-winning Pathways to Policing Program to support non-traditional candidates for law enforcement who already have an associate’s degree in another discipline. To retain current law enforcement officers, the bill also provides $3,000 in one-time bonuses to all licensed police officers and an additional incentive of $7,000 to officers nearing retirement who choose to continue serving.
This bill also incorporates “tough on crime” bills that increase penalties for repeat offenders, carjackers, and violent crimes involving firearms. There is also enhanced support for the Violent Crime Enforcement Teams (VCET), which have been successful at targeting drugs and guns across the state. In response to the growing instances of violent criminals becoming repeat offenders and frequent decisions by prosecutors and judges to go easy on criminals, this bill takes several steps to improve transparency for the decisions that lead to early releases and failures to fully charge criminals.
“This bill demonstrates our commitment towards ensuring the safety of all Minnesota families,” said Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville). “Public safety has been a top priority for Senate Republicans because of the increase in crime rates throughout our communities—it’s an issue that demands our full attention. That means supporting the brave men and women that step up to protect our communities, holding judges and prosecutors accountable for their sentencing decisions, and keeping violent criminals off the streets.”
The legislation passed the Senate on a vote of 48-19 and now awaits action in the House.