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HISTORY
The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association was formed in 1885. The Association is made up of the sheriffs from the 87 Minnesota counties representing a diversity of regions, from agricultural and wilderness, to metropolitan. However, each sheriff has their own unique situation, their duties, responsibilities, and many of the problems they encounter are common to all. The sheriff has had to work through the legislature to propose, endorse, and support legislation, which would enable them to carry out their duties more effectively. They have also had to oppose legislation, which would not only diminish the office of sheriff, but also make it obsolete. The Office of Sheriff has protected American democratic principles by seeing to it that the office remains an elected office, and the sheriffs have successfully fought to keep their office non-partisan, believing that if it were a political office it would be possible to lose a certain degree of autonomy. Being a sheriff is certainly not to be viewed as a job; it most definitely is a way of life.
MISSION
The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association’s mission is to provide training and education for sheriffs and their deputies. Last year alone we provided over 6,000 hours of training to Sheriffs, correctional officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Sheriff’s command staff in many subjects including civil process, jail management, and legal issue updates. This training insures Sheriffs and their staff are better prepared to serve and protect the citizens of our state.
The Association works closely with state agencies and the legislature to improve the criminal justice system, developing laws to reduce criminal activity, and providing more effective criminal prosecution and passing laws that are effective and fair for all people of Minnesota.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Association each year awards fifteen scholarships to law enforcement students in Minnesota. The Association has furnished over 100,000 safety coloring books to school children, is involved with the “Binky Patrol”, which provides blankets made by community groups for children involved in trauma or crisis situations, and works closely with the National Sheriffs’ Association on other community based programs such as National Night Out, the senior based Triad program, and many others.
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