HTC president appointed to Minnesota State taskforce on law enforcement education reform

ST. PAUL, August 26, 2020 – Minnesota State has announced the formation of a Taskforce on Law Enforcement Education Reform. The Taskforce will lead a critical examination of current law enforcement education programs across the Minnesota State system using an anti-racism and equity-focused lens. The action is one element of Minnesota State’s multi-prong approach to law enforcement education reform being taken in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd.

Dr. Merrill Irving Jr., president, Hennepin Technical College, is a member of the taskforce. Dr. Irving has earned a national reputation for his work on diversity and inclusion in higher education. Serving 46% students of color, Hennepin Technical College (HTC) is one of the most diverse college campuses in Minnesota State. HTC operates the Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Education Center which provides skills training for students who are training to become licensed peace officers, as well as current licensed peace officers.

The Taskforce will advise the Board of Trustees and system leadership on issues, initiatives, programming, and priorities relative to an anti-racist law enforcement education. The Taskforce will not only help to set priorities for Minnesota State regarding law enforcement education, but also has the potential to impact law enforcement across the state.

“The colleges and universities of Minnesota State are an essential resource for meeting the workforce needs of the state, including the workforce needs of professional peace officers,” said Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State. “We are in a unique position to guide meaningful reform of law enforcement education. Our role will focus on directly addressing issues of racism and social justice by producing graduates who are culturally competent and ready to serve and protect ALL of our communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin.”

Co-convened by George Soule, Minnesota State Trustee, Dennis Olson, commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and Satasha Green-Stephen, associate vice chancellor of Minnesota State, the Taskforce is comprised of approximately 30 members representing a wide, diverse, and inclusive cross-section of external and internal key stakeholders. “It is imperative,” continued Malhotra, “that, through this taskforce, we leverage collaborative partnerships with other entities engaged in law enforcement education and reform, including the POST Board, the University of Minnesota, K-12 partners, community organizations, citizen groups, police departments and precincts, political leaders, and other state agencies.”