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    Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    Peace Officer Standards and Training Board

    Also known as:
    POST Board
    Active dates:1977 -
    Authority:
    1977 Minn. Laws Chap. 433 Sec. 2
    Minn. Stat. 626.841
    Rule(s):
    Minn. Rules Chap. 6700
    Function:

    Regulates and promotes the profession of law enforcement across the state of Minnesota through the adoption, regulation, and enforcement of education, selection, licensing, and training standards.

    Preceded by:
    Peace Officer Training Board (MPOTB)
    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).

    2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 52 includes language that no later than January 1, 2024, the board must adopt rules under chapter 14 that permit the board to take disciplinary action on a licensee for a violation of a standard of conduct in Minnesota Rules, chapter 6700, whether or not criminal charges have been filed and in accordance with the evidentiary standards and civil processes for boards under chapter 214.
    Related to:
    Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community Relations Advisory Council
    Membership:

    15-member board: 14 are appointed by the Governor to staggered four-year terms; the remaining member is the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The appointed members represent the following: two public members; two police chiefs; two county sheriffs; four peace officers (one of whom is a Minnesota State Trooper); two former peace officers and one administrator who are currently employed by a college or university that offers a professional peace officer education program; and one elected city official from a city with a population under 5,000 outside the metro area. The chair is appointed by the Governor from these members.

    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-
    Internet resource:
    Minnesota Management & Budget Agency Profile
    Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
    POST Board Members
    Reports:
    Biennial Report (1987/1988 - )
    2020 IADLEST Minnesota POST Board Audit (2020)
    Note: The Legislative Reference Library may have additional reports on or by this group available through our catalog.
    Documents/Articles:
    POST Board adopts new rules. League of Minnesota Cities, 5/30/2023.
    New POST Board rules called a 'game changer' in state licensing of police officers. Star Tribune, 5/29/2023.
    Q&A: Chair of POST Board on how it has changed and could change policing in Minnesota. MinnPost, 3/17/2023.
    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.
    News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1967-2021.
    Record last updated: 08/08/2023
     

    All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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