School resource officer training

Minnesota School Resource Officer (SRO) Training Program

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Minnesota School Safety Center are committed to fostering safe and supportive learning environments for all students, staff, and faculty. Our School Resource Officer (SRO) Training Program equips law enforcement professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively within educational settings.

This training goes beyond traditional policing, focusing on building positive relationships, enhancing school security, and promoting conflict resolution. SROs play a vital role in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the school community, ensuring a collaborative approach to safety, education, and mentorship.

Through comprehensive coursework, scenario-based exercises, and ongoing professional development, participants will gain a deeper understanding of adolescent behavior, legal considerations, emergency preparedness, and community engagement.

Together, we can create safer schools and empower officers to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students and the broader school community. Explore the following resources and training schedules support your journey of being an effective School Resource Officer.

 

• SRO Statute FAQ's.pdf

BASIC SRO COURSE SUMMARY: 

The Minnesota School Safety Center (MN SSC) Basic School Resource Officer Course will meet the mandated learning objectives for law enforcement officers assigned as a School Resource Officer (SRO) per Minnesota State Statute.   It will also provide additional training specific to the role of a SRO, the unique nuances of working with juveniles in the school setting, and the awareness of prevention, preparedness and response best practices as it relates to school related incidents.   

This course is approved for 23 POST Board Credits. 

 

COURSE GOALS: 

• Emphasize the importance of integrating SROs into the school community
• Equip SROs with foundational knowledge of their roles and responsibilities
• Provide tools and resources to support safe school operations and protocols
• Educate SROs on current legal standards applicable to school environments  

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE:  

Law enforcement officers assigned as an SRO and their supervisors. This course is created for law enforcement but other educators or administrators who work closely with SROs may benefit from this course. 

 

REFRESHER COURSE SUMMARY: 

The Minnesota School Safety Center (MnSSC) School Resource Officer Refresher Course will meet the mandated learning objectives for law enforcement officers assigned as a School Resource Officer (SRO) per Minnesota State Statute.   It will also provide additional training specific to the role of a SRO, the unique nuances of working with juveniles in the school setting, and the awareness of prevention, preparedness and response best practices as it relates to school related incidents.   

This course is 9 hours in length and approved for 8 POST Board Credits. 

COURSE GOALS: 

• Emphasize the importance of integrating SROs into the school community
• Provide SROs training on supplemental topics that are required by Minnesota statute 626.8482
• Provide tools and resources to support safe school operations and protocols
• Educate SROs on current legal standards applicable to school environments  

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE:  

This refresher course is designed for law enforcement officers who are assigned as School Resource Officers (SROs) and who have completed either the Minnesota School Safety Center Basic SRO Course or the NASRO Basic SRO Course. 

The course provides updated training aligned with the content required under MN Statute 626.8482. It is intended specifically for officers who previously completed a Basic SRO course to September 1, 2025, that did not include the newly mandated learning objectives. 

 

 Meet the School Resource Officer Training Team

Megan Olstad is a School Resource Officer (SRO) Training and Planning Specialist at the Minnesota School Safety Center, a position she has held since September 2024. She develops and delivers training for school administrators and resource officers statewide, ensuring alignment with state legislative mandates. With over 17 years of law enforcement experience, including 8 years as a School Resource Officer with Forest Lake Area Schools, Megan has worked with middle school, high school, and ALC students. She also serves as the President of the Minnesota Juvenile Officers Association, having held various board roles since 2018. Passionate about school safety, Megan collaborates with school districts, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management professionals across Minnesota to strengthen safety through comprehensive planning and proactive risk management. She specializes in establishing safety protocols, conducting facility assessments, and training staff to ensure a coordinated and effective emergency response. By fostering strong partnerships and applying best practices, Megan helps create safe and secure learning environments where students and staff can thrive.

Emily Kaehn is a School Resource Officer (SRO) Training and Planning Specialist at the Minnesota School Safety Center as of 2024. Emily has 14 years of law enforcement experience at the Brooklyn Park Police Department, serving 7 of those years as an SRO at a high school.  In that role, as a juvenile detective, Emily handled complex investigations, including child protection and human trafficking task force cases, and contributed to community outreach events. Following law enforcement, Emily joined the Osseo School District as a Security and Emergency Management Specialist contributing to emergency operation plans, reunification plans, staff training, and security system integrations at a district level. Emily obtained the internationally recognized Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification and is also PREPaRE trained through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Emily brings vast law enforcement experience working with juveniles as well as a district level awareness imperative to the School Safety Center’s initiatives and strives to provide effective and quality trainings.