•Role of School Resource Officer is more than restraining students

By Kris Goracke

Reporter

Confusion is perhaps the best word to describe Minnesota’s current situation involving School Resource Officers (SROs). This confusion and hesitancy due to the interpretation of the law has prompted over 40 Minnesota school districts to withdraw their SROs. For the Minnewaska Area School District and City of Starbuck the decision to retain the SRO at WIN Academy was not taken lightly, but ultimately, both entities agreed that keeping the position was best for the students and staff.

Shortly before the school year started, the Minnesota Legislature approved an education bill with a provision prohibiting school employees and resource officers from using certain physical restraints on students, including the prone position. Some interpretations of the law suggest that if such restraints are used, it could potentially lead to criminal charges or lawsuits against these officers.

The law states that an “employee or agent of a district, including a school resource officer, security personnel, or police officer contracted with a district, shall not use prone restraint.” It defines a prone restraint as placing a child in a facedown position. It also states that an employee of a district “shall not inflict any form of physical holding that restricts or impairs a pupil’s ability to breathe,” among other provisions. However, an officer can “restrain a student to prevent imminent bodily harm or death to the student or another.”

“The new law limits the SRO while on campus,” said City of Starbuck Chief of Police Mitch Johnsrud.  “Unless the student is in eminent danger of self-harm or harm to others, an SRO is unable to restrain the student in any manner.  If a student is a runner, the SRO cannot physically stop the student.  There is just too much gray area in the current language.  It becomes difficult for the SRO who needs to make a decision in a split second if they should act based on their training or do nothing and wait for outside enforcement to arrive,” said Johnsrud.

When discussing the important role Officer Franks has at WIN Academy, Minnewaska Superintendent Chip Rankin said, “The SRO data shows 388 incidents ranging from fire drills to physical restraints. Of the 388 incidents, about 90% were physical contact. Because of the relationship Franks has developed with the staff and students, he is able to deescalate situations quickly to get students back on track.” 

 However, the role of an SRO is more than restraining a student. Officer Frank’s most significant role is building relationships with the students. “Officer Franks has been at WIN Academy since 2018, and in that time, he has provided security for the students and staff and has become a trusted individual to whom students can come. Franks also assists the school with fire and tornado drills, lockdown procedures, and internet safety. Overall, he is a positive resource for students and staff,” Johnsrud said.

Officer Franks sees his role as an SRO as being part of a community. “My favorite part of being an SRO is showing a positive view of Law Enforcement and developing the relationships with the students,” said Franks. “I see myself as their safe person.  Whether they are in just a bad space, if there is an emergency, or if they are having a crisis moment. They know it’s going to be me to help them through it.” 

“The relationship Officer Franks has with the students is fantastic. He is the student’s constant. He is there each school day. He knows the students and their situations and can respond appropriately to meet the student’s needs,” said Johnsrud. “When an incident arises at WIN, Officer Franks and staff can de-escalate the situation. The trust and relationship between Officer Franks and the student who may be posing self-harm or harm to others comes into play, resulting in de-escalating the situation. Having a trusted person working with you in times of high stress and poor decisions will have a more positive result than having an unknown person coming into your space and de-deescalating the situation,” said Johnsrud.

  Johnsrud, who is on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, says the organization hopes to meet with Governor Walz and encourage clarity in the law when the legislature session opens in February.