Some of you probably saw recent headlines about the Peace Officer Licensing Standards and Training (POST) Board’s proposed revisions to its rules relating to peace officer education and licensing. Unfortunately, it is clear that these proposed revisions to the rules significantly infringe on religious freedom as well as other rights protected under United States and Minnesota constitutions.
In the Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR), the POST Board claims these rules are necessary in order tostop the “…continued erosion of the public’s trust of law enforcement officers and agencies because [of] officers’ discriminatory conduct, and officer participation in hate groups..” However, if passed these rules will do the just the opposite. In its current draft form, the POST Board’s new revisions to the rules relating to education and licensing of peace officers will create serious legal and policy implications affecting numerous peace officers across the state.
That’s why True North Legal (TNL), a legal initiative associated with Minnesota Family Council, along with other allied organizations, took the first step to oppose these egregious rules. We submitted a comment and request for a contested case rulemaking proceeding consistent with Minnesota law, and we are asking you to do the same. As further discussed, and referenced in the legal analysis provided in our comment, these rule as drafted are clearly unconstitutional, violating the Free Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Assembly and Due Process Clauses of the Minnesota and United States Constitutions.
Read our comments now: