SAINT PAUL, MN – Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) released the following statement after it was announced Monday that the Maple Grove Police Department was suspending its School Resource Officer (SRO) program:
“Maple Grove Police Department is the latest to join the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Plymouth Police Department in removing their SROs from schools in my district, #37A. Students, teachers and staff at Rockford Area Schools, Wayzata Public Schools and now, Osseo-Maple Grove Schools, no longer have the SROs on site to build relationships with students and de-escalate situations that may arise. Precious minutes will be lost if the schools need to call for patrol officers to respond and this could result in more serious injuries to students and staff.”
“This is not a partisan issue. I am hearing from parents, teachers, school board members, law enforcement and others in the community who value the role of SROs in our schools. Everyone wants this fixed. Governor Walz should call the Legislature back into Special Session so we can provide the needed clarity in statute so our students, teachers, and staff all can have a great school year.”
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