The Minnesota School Safety Center (MnSSC) is a non-regulatory program within the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Established and funded by the Minnesota Legislature, the MnSSC serves as a free resource for K-12 public, private, public charter and tribal schools across the state. 

Our mission is to assist schools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all-hazard emergencies by providing information, guidance, training, and technical assistance for best practices in all-hazard safety planning for schools. We coordinate prevention, mitigation, response and recovery activities with federal, tribal, state, and local partners. 

The MnSSC offers a variety of training programs, including multi-hazard emergency operations planning, behavior threat assessment, violent intruder response, school resource officer training, crisis communications and de-escalation strategies. We also provide safe school facility assessments and tabletop exercise strategies to help schools prepare for emergencies. 

Starting March 2025, the MnSSC's Basic School Resource Officer (SRO) Training Course will meet the mandated learning objectives for law enforcement officers assigned as an SRO per Minnesota State Statute. This training goes beyond traditional policing, focusing on building positive relationships, enhancing school security, and promoting conflict resolution. Through comprehensive coursework, scenario-based exercises, and ongoing professional development, participants gain a deeper understanding of adolescent behavior, legal considerations, emergency preparedness and community engagement.

Our team works closely with key partners, including the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, local law enforcement agencies and other state and federal organizations, to ensure a comprehensive approach to school safety.

At the MnSSC, we believe that building strong relationships between schools, students, families, public safety partners and communities is essential to creating a safe and supportive learning environment. We are committed to walking alongside our schools and their safety partners to promote a culture of preparedness and resilience.