The Northfield Police Department is currently sorting through new policy changes mandated by both the 2023 State Legislature and the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Board.
As of May 30th, several changes were made by the POST Board to the background check requirements for new police hires, including those who have already been licensed. The changes essentially ban anyone associated with an extremist or a hate group from working as a licensed law enforcement officer in Minnesota. There are also new requirements to verify US citizenship and eligibility to work in the US, as well as other requirements with regards to use of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
The POST Board has added more training requirements for all law enforcement officers as well.
Meanwhile, the State Legislature has created a program that is designed to help law enforcement officers deal with the difficulties of their job. Since 2019, nearly 900 law enforcement officers statewide have filed disability claims due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and approximately $100 million dollars has been allocated to help cities pay for PTSD treatment for their police officers. Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott said the benefits of the program should reach beyond the intended service.
“A new [program] that the state is going to help fund is the requirement that agencies provide treatment for officers who are suffering from PTSD. So that’s a good thing and really should help with retention of officers. We know PTSD is highly treatable. This is providing some support for the officers, but also mandating employers to give that support to the employees.”
With all of the new programs and requirements, of course, come more work and reporting requirements. Last year, the City Council authorized the creation of an Administrative Sergeant position within the police department. At that time, Elliott said there had already been quite a bit of work created during the 2022 legislature and predicted that more would be coming. The city listened to, and agreed with, Chief Elliott, and created the position. However, authorization of the position does not yet mean that the department has found the right person to fill the role.
“We need to make sure that our policies are in line and make sure that we are meeting all those reporting requirements. Hiring, recruiting, retention are all issues that we’re dealing with right now, just like every other department, really, throughout the nation. So, we’re still trying to fill that position, but we are trying to move forward and make sure that we are in compliance with everything.”
Elliott said the state will also make one-time payments to law enforcement agencies around the state to help with hiring, recruiting and retention, and he is hopeful the extra money will make a difference.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
County United Way grants total more than a quarter million dollars
On Tuesday the Rice County Area United Way announced twenty grants totaling $239,000 going to various organizations in Rice County representing financial stability, health care, and education.
Rice County United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Child said in a statement that the organization is proud to partner with all of the organizations receiving grants this year for the work they do and the way they collaborate with each other.
Among those receiving grants this year under the heading of Financial Stability is Community Action Center at $80,500, The Hope Center in Faribault which received $12,500, and Ruth’s House of Hope also in Faribault received $10,000. The Northfield Union of Youth received $7500.
Recipients designated as United Way Health Partners include HealthFInders Collaborative which received $15,500, Healthy Community Initiative with a grant for $20,000, and Three Rivers Community Action received $7000.
Among the Education entities receiving funding are the Northfield Promise Reading Team at $6000, Northfield School PRIMEtime was granted $11,500, Project Friendship received $3500, and the Torch program at $13,000.
The statement issued by the United Way said that grants are recommended by volunteer allocations panels. The panelists hear from potential grantees and then recommend grants to the Rice County Area United Way board of directors who then make the final decisions on the grants.
The statement went on to say that the Rice County Area United Way is now able to offer supplemental funding as well. Not only does the organization offer the annual grants, but it will also offer as-needed support through microgrants. Applications for microgrants can be found at ricecountyunitedway.org/microgrant. In addition, United Way donations support nearly 1,500 pre-school children receiving books at home once a month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
For more information on the Rice County Area United Way, visit ricecountyunitedway.org.
Independence Day events and closings set
The city of Northfield announced this week that the annual Independence Day fireworks display will be held on Tuesday, July 4 starting at 10pm at the Northfield Middle School. The suggested viewing areas near the launching point include the Northfield Middle School parking lot and south fields, Tyler Park, and the fields north of Jefferson Parkway.
Those who intend to watch the fireworks display, are asked to please not block roads, streets, sidewalks, trails or driveways.
In case of bad weather, the alternate time is scheduled for July 5th at 10pm. The city’s website and social media accounts will show any changes to the schedule.
The Northfield Liquor Store will be open on July 4 from 11am until 6pm. Northfield city offices, including the Northfield Public Library, will be closed in observance of Independence Day.
The Old Memorial Pool will be open during their regular hours on July 4 from noon to 8pm. All times are subject to change.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
