Funding for crisis de-escalation training receives House division support

Not every veteran has a seamless transition back into society. Sometimes those struggles lead to a confrontation with law enforcement.

When that occurs, those sworn to protect don’t often have the necessary skills to de-escalate a situation with someone trained in combat tactics.

“A law enforcement officer, particularly one who is not aware that they’re going to be visiting with a veteran, could put themselves and others in harm’s way depending upon how they respond to that situation,” said Rep. Tim O'Driscoll (R-Sartell).

Rep. Tim O'Driscoll

He sponsors HF406 that would appropriate $100,000 in each year of the upcoming biennium to better train state and local community safety personnel in crisis de-escalation techniques.

It was approved Monday by the House Veterans Affairs Division Monday and sent to the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee. A companion, SF851, sponsored by Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.

A similar proposal last year was not funded in the supplemental budget law.

In determining a training provider, the bill calls for the Public Safety Department to consult with the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board and it may consult with other authorities deemed relevant. Training opportunities must be “reasonably distributed” statewide.

The Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute received some state funding in 2013 to provide training. Since then, two-dozen full-day classes have been offered around the state reaching approximately 725 participants. Ten more classes are scheduled or are being scheduled.

“All parties benefit when a situation can be de-escalated without force,” said Bill Micklus, the institute’s associate director. He said this bill would provide funding to reach 25 percent of the state’s approximately 10,500 licensed peace officers.

“Until we get rid of war, this is going to need to go on and on,” said Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji). “It’s going to need funding every couple of years.”