On the recommendation of the Governor’s Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations, Governor Dayton today urged that a new police training fund be named the “Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund”
New $12 million investment in law enforcement training will provide more training opportunities for Minnesota law enforcement officers working with diverse communities
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton
today issued a letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, requesting that its members name a new law enforcement training fund in memory of Philando Castile, who was tragically killed one year ago today. Governor Dayton has requested that the fund, which was enacted by the Legislature this year and is administered by the POST Board, be named the “Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund.”
Governor Dayton’s request follows the same recommendation from the
Governor’s Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations. The Council, which is comprised of community leaders, law enforcement officers, and state lawmakers, this year recommended new investments in police training to enhance the safety of Minnesotans in every community, and the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us. These new investments, totaling $12 million, passed with bipartisan support during the 2017 Legislative Session.
The following is a statement from Governor Mark Dayton:
“Philando Castile’s life was tragically cut short one year ago today. I believe it is imperative that the leaders in our state's ever-more-diverse communities and in their law enforcement organizations commit – or recommit – themselves to making changes together that will lead toward better relationships among law enforcement officers and members of those communities.One important step toward that goal was the Legislature's bi-partisan appropriation of $12 million for additional Peace Officer training, to be administered by the POST Board.
“At its last meeting, the Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations, which I formed last year, overwhelmingly recommended naming this training fund, ‘The Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund.’ I join with the Council in requesting that the POST Board name this fund in honor of Mr. Castile.
“My hope is that the fund will provide training in the best practices to improve law enforcement's relationships with people in all Minnesota communities, and will also create partnerships, in which community and law enforcement leaders are together designing and delivering that training.”
About the Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund
The $12 million in funding for the “Philando Castile Law Enforcement Training Fund,” passed this session with bipartisan support, and was signed into law by Governor Dayton. It will provide additional resources for the POST Board to provide more training opportunities for law enforcement officials working with diverse communities. The 15-member POST Board will determine what standards and trainings will be implemented as a result of this new funding. This funding was originally proposed as part of the Preliminary Recommendations of the Governor’s Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations.
About the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board is responsible for licensing law enforcement officials, establishing licensing and training requirements, and setting standards for law enforcement agencies and officers. The Board is composed of 15 members including state, city, and county law enforcement officials, as well as higher education and public representatives.
[
LETTER] Read Governor Dayton’s letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board. [
Link]
[
PHOTO 1] Joined by family of Philando Castile, Governor Dayton recommends new law enforcement training fund be named in memory of Philando Castile. [
Link]
[
PHOTO 2] Governor Dayton recommends new law enforcement training fund be named in memory of Philando Castile. [
Link]
[
AUDIO] Listen to audio of Governor Dayton’s news conference announcing his recommendation. [
Link]
