History:
Minnesota's first step toward regulating the practice of law enforcement came in 1967 when the Minnesota Peace Officer Training Board (MPOTB) was created by the legislature. Beginning in 1968, MPOTB's responsibilities included certification of agencies offering police academy training. The certification of training programs was an attempt to standardize police training in the state.
In 1977 the Minnesota legislature debated the role of law enforcement in society and then passed several amendments to the original MPOTB legislation. These amendments abolished the MPOTB and replaced it with the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board). The mission of the new Minnesota POST Board was to create the first law enforcement occupational licensing system in the United States. This system established law enforcement licensing and training requirements and set standards for law enforcement agencies and officers.
As an occupational regulatory agency, POST is responsible for licensing over 10,500 active peace officers and over 250 active part-time peace officers. The board has the legislative authority to adopt administrative rules that have the force and effect of law, rules that enable the board to establish policies and standards to which all licensees must adhere. (Taken from the Board's website, 6/3/2016).
Entries for this agency in the Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report:
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978.
Note: This report provides membership details as well as meeting information and a summary of the group's activities.
Agency heads:
Executive directors: Carl Pearson, 1977 - 1978; Mark Shields, 1978 - 1987; William Carter III, 1988 - 1994; Ray Cummings, 1994 - 1994; John Laux, 1995 - 1998; Neil Melton, 1998 - 2014; Nathan Gove, 2014 - January 2020.
Erik Misselt, Interim Executive Director, January 2020-
Documents/Articles:
Once viewed as a 'paper tiger,' POST board pursues new reforms to discipline misbehaving police. Star Tribune, 5/23/2022.
What does it take to become a police officer in the state of Minnesota?. Star Tribune, 2/21/2021.
Governor Walz appoints seven new members to POST Board. Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, 2/11/2021.
Minnesota police licensing board at center of push to build trust in law enforcement. New responsibilities are part of what interim POST Board Executive Director Erik Misselt calls a "watershed moment.". Star Tribune, 7/30/2020.
Statement from the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) regarding the death of George Floyd, 5/27/2020.