Today Senate Republicans rolled out a $65 million C.O.P.S. Program, which stands for “Creating Opportunities in Public Safety.” The proposals focus on recruitment to address the peace officer shortage affecting the entire state. Six different bills are included and aim to help young people get their degree in law enforcement, encourage mid-career people to consider a career change, and fund a marketing campaign as well as continuing education to highlight the honorable profession and long-term benefits of a career in law enforcement. 

Across the nation, law enforcement positions are opening up faster than they can be replaced by retirement or resignation. In 2021 alone, The Star Tribune reported Minnesota saw 32 Police Chiefs retire. The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board Job board shows openings for licensed peace officers in at least 65 agencies. Minneapolis and St. Paul have nearly 300 open positions to fill as of last month. 

“Law enforcement officers have consistently stepped up to keep our communities safe during some of the biggest crises our state has faced, and it’s time we focus on supporting them in any way we can,” said Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia). “We find ourselves at a critical point—amid calls to defund the police, requests for reduced sentencing guidelines, and the suggested elimination of cash bail, there is a great deal of stress being placed on law enforcement officers and the system as a whole. We need to recruit new officers, retain those remaining, and ensure both groups have adequate support and resources to be successful in keeping our communities safe.”

The following bills are included in the package:

• $1 million for the Department of Public Safety to develop and conduct an advertising campaign to elevate law enforcement professions
• $1.5 million in funding for the award-winning Pathways to Policing program
• $20 million in funding for the Workforce Scholarship Program to increase enrollment in associate degree programs in law enforcement
• $20 million for grants to students across the state that are pursing degrees in law enforcement at an accredited institution  
• $2.5 million in tuition reimbursements for recently licensed peace officers and those in the pipeline to become officers
• $20 million towards bonuses of up to $10,000 for newly hired peace officers

This package is the first portion of a comprehensive, session-long effort by Senate Republicans to support law enforcement and safer communities.