West St. Paul Keeping Police Officer in Schools

Thanks to Dakota County for their support.

Amid a state-wide debate about school resource officers (SROs), West St. Paul is keeping their police officer in ISD 197 schools.

The debate: Republicans and some law enforcement officials have pushed for a special legislative session to clarify or repeal a change made in the spring. The new changes ban SROs from using certain holds or restraints on students lying face down. The change has sparked insurance and liability concerns and resulted in some police departments pulling their SROs from schools.

• Last week Governor Tim Walz said there would be no special session for now, noting that clarification from the attorney general’s office has eased concerns from insurance providers.
• Earlier this week several law enforcement organizations continued to push for change. Woodbury also halted its SRO program.

Local conclusion: West St. Paul City Manager Nate Burkett commented on the issue during Monday’s Open Council Work Session while talking about impacts of recent legislative changes.

• Stance: “We don’t have any intention to even consider withdrawing or pulling our SRO out of the school.”
• Why: “We think the connections created through that program are important, regardless of the circumstance.” In an era when it’s hard to find police officers, many departments see SROs as a helpful recruiting tactic. During the official City Council meeting later that night, a new officer took the oath of office—Payton Weber-Rolfes, a Two Rivers graduate and current assistant wrestling coach.
• Commentary: “You may read in the newspapers that the sky is falling—the sky isn’t falling,” Burkett said. “We’ll work with it.”

Current SRO: West St. Paul Police Officer Elyse Wood is assigned to ISD 197 as the school resource officer. She has an office at Two Rivers High School, but serves the entire district. She’s also the advisor for the Two Rivers Step Club.

History: ISD 197 has had an SRO since 2004. They’ve come from the West St. Paul and Mendota Heights police forces at different times, most recently shifting to West St. Paul in 2022.

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