In August, the City of Moorhead Police Department (MPD) temporarily removed School Resource Officers (SROs) from Moorhead Area Public Schools (MAPS) due to a change in state law that put SROs at undue risk of possible civil and criminal liability. The specific concern with the law was the interpreted loss of standard law enforcement authority of officers contracted by school districts or assigned to work in schools.
During the time when they were not assigned to schools, SROs have been temporarily assigned to the dayshift, where they did routine school walk throughs and were available in case of emerging situations.
Now, after further clarification of the new law and its implications by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and additional legal counsel, MPD and MAPS have jointly agreed that SROs can begin returning to schools Friday, October 6.
This is good news for our schools and City. SROs are excited to return to schools where they partner with staff, build relationships, and help protect and serve our learning environments.
