SF5286

Purpose

To create a new Investigative Specialist Grant Program that funds law enforcement agencies to hire, train, and keep investigative specialists. The goal is to raise the rate at which crimes are solved and to improve support for crime victims.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of the Investigative Specialist Grant Program and a onetime appropriation.
• Funding: $2,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the commissioner of public safety for the program.
• Grant awards: The commissioner can award grants to law enforcement agencies (as defined for grant eligibility) to hire, train, and retain investigative specialists. Grants may be up to $250,000 for an individual applicant.
• Priority criteria for grants:
  • Agencies with disproportionately high rates of unsolved crimes.
  • Agencies identifying inadequate staffing as a major barrier to solving crimes.
  • Agencies presenting a plan showing how investigative specialists will increase the number of crimes solved.
  • Agencies showing a commitment to increasing the solved-rate and providing specific goals and performance metrics.
• Use of grant funds (what recipients must do):
  • Create recruiting protocols and a job description for investigative specialists.
  • Create a procedure manual for investigative specialists.
  • Hire investigative specialists.
  • Create training programs and train hired specialists.
  • Supervise and support investigative specialists.
• Role of investigative specialists:
  • Provide administrative and investigative support to detectives and investigative supervisors.
  • Receive training on confidentiality requirements and other relevant policies.
• Staffing restrictions:
  • Investigative specialists must not be peace officers and must not identify as peace officers.
  • They must not exercise powers and duties that are exclusively reserved for peace officers.
• Reporting and evaluation:
  • Recipients must report to the commissioner about the use and impact of the grant.
  • Reports due at six months after grant award and at the end of the grant period.
  • Required report content includes: number of specialists hired, training provided, acts performed, and the impact on solving crimes.

Funding and Fiscal Impact

• A one-time appropriation of $2,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027.
• Funds are to be used specifically for hiring, training, and supporting investigative specialists to improve crime-solving rates.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates a new grant program within public safety to fund non-commissioned investigative specialists.
• Establishes a defined role (investigative specialist) distinct from peace officers, with specified duties and training requirements.
• Introduces formal eligibility criteria, grant limits, and performance metrics tied to crime-solving outcomes.
• Adds mandatory reporting requirements to monitor effectiveness and use of funds.

Implications for Stakeholders

• Law enforcement agencies may gain additional personnel and structured training to improve case clearance.
• Investigative specialists will have a defined, non-police role focused on support functions and process improvements.
• Victims may see improved support through enhanced investigative operations and faster case resolution.

Relevant Terms - investigative specialist - investigative specialists - grant program - general fund - commissioner of public safety - law enforcement agencies - unsolved crimes - crimes solved - recruiting protocols - job description - procedure manual - training programs - confidentiality requirements - administrative support - investigative support - detectives - investigative supervisors - not a peace officer - peace officer - Minnesota Statutes section 626.84 - subdivision 1 paragraph f - reporting requirements - six months after grant award - grant period - performance metrics - one-time appropriation - fiscal year 2027