MN Senate approves $1 million for ad campaign to recruit cops
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill Monday that would fund a $1 million advertising campaign to help recruit more law enforcement officers to the profession.
The vote was 51-15. It’s unclear when or if the DFL-controlled House might take up the bill.
Police departments throughout the state have complained about staff shortages and a lack of applicants for those vacancies. The Department of Public Safety would direct the campaign to lure more applicants.
Debate on the bill hinted at some of the campaign themes members of both parties are expected to use as they seek reelection later this year.
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Help attracting more people to become police officers is needed now, said Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, the bill’s author.
“Crime is up immensely in all of our neighborhoods, and there’s a huge exodus of police officers,” Housley said. “We need to protect our communities and ensure they are fully stocked with police forces.”
Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, also said that more police officers are needed soon. Miller said many Minnesotans don’t feel safe, and many police officers do not feel appreciated.
“Anti-police rhetoric has demoralized the profession,” Miller said. “It’s causing current police officers to retire early, and it’s discouraging new people from entering the profession.”
Several DFL lawmakers spoke against the bill.
Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, said the money could be better used in existing programs. Marty also criticized the timing of the discussion, so soon after the fatal shooting of Amir Locke by a Minneapolis police officer during the execution of a search warrant.
“I just think it’s really insensitive, at this time, to be talking about using taxpayer money to run an advertising campaign,” Marty said.