St. Cloud COP House Inspires Federal Bill

(KNSI) – A Minnesota congressman wants to take a program modeled after the St. Cloud Community OutPost nationwide.

The St. Cloud COP House helps out with English language programs, back-to-school events, dental and breastfeeding clinics, legal office hours, and kids’ activities, as well as improving police-community relations.

Republican Congressman Tom Emmer has introduced the Community OutPost (COP) Outreach and Engagement Act so more communities can benefit from the program.

“The COP House in St. Cloud has given residents a chance to have meaningful interactions with officers from their local police department while providing officers with the opportunity to build relationships throughout their region. Conducting outreach out of this outpost rather than remaining sheltered in a precinct increases comfort for other individuals and establishes interactions with police that are not simply confrontational. Through continued engagement and familiarity, we can improve the way we keep our communities safe,” said Emmer.

The bill would provide funding and create a pilot program to promote Community OutPosts across the country.

COP Houses can help with medical treatment, legal advice, and access to federal assistance.

St. Cloud’s COP House was honored in 2018 with the Department of Justice’s L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award. St. Cloud established the first COP House in Minnesota in 2017.

The effort was a partnership between the St. Cloud Police Department, Mayo Ambulance, CentraCare Health, and Stearns County Social Services.