MN Senate Passes Law Enforcement Advertising Bill

(KNSI) – After more than two hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would direct $1 million into a law enforcement ad campaign.

SF 2848 funds a marketing campaign to highlight the benefits of a career in law enforcement and sets aside an additional $1 million in funding for the Pathways to Policing program to attract nontraditional candidates who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The bill’s author, Senator Karin Housley of Stillwater, said the bill is aimed at boosting morale and helping attract more police officers to the state. Housley says that many people in law enforcement are feeling unappreciated and many law enforcement agencies are struggling with staffing shortages.

The Police Officer Standards and Training Board job website shows openings for police officers in 65 agencies. The Minneapolis and St. Paul Police Department have more than 300 open positions.

The bill directs the Department of Public Safety and the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board to direct the ad campaign.

The bill received broad bipartisan support, with area senators Aric Putnam, Jeff Howe, and Andrew Matthews voting in favor of the measure.

The companion bill in the house (HF3333) is currently under review by the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

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