On this page you will find the latest press releases and statements from the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
Diverse slate of appointments includes two new POST Board seats created by the Minnesota Police Accountability Act signed in July
2/11/2021 11:45:08 AM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today appointed seven new members to the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, which is responsible for setting regulations and controlling the training and licensing of police officers in Minnesota. The diverse slate of appointees will fill seven vacancies, including two new positions created by the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, which the Governor signed in July.
“These appointees will bring extensive experience and diverse voices that will help ensure the POST Board is responsive to the needs of our communities. I’m proud of their commitment to reforming policing in a way that brings greater accountability and makes all Minnesotans feel safe,” said Governor Walz. “After the death of George Floyd, we engaged Minnesotans across the state in conversations around criminal justice reform. We’ve heard an overwhelming desire for greater transparency and accountability. This is one important step toward those goals.”
“These measures to increase transparency and accountability in policing are a direct result of the advocacy of Minnesotans following the murder of George Floyd. We heard their calls for justice and are committed to making sure all Minnesotans feel safe and valued,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I look forward to working with these incredible leaders on the challenges ahead to reform policing in Minnesota.”
“ These new appointees bring a wealth of experience and the diverse perspectives needed to help shape the future of the POST Board ,” said POST Board Chair Kelly McCarthy. “ The Board, working in conjunction with the Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community Relations Advisory Council, will work to further amplify the good work of so many of our Minnesota Peace Officers while increasing transparency and informing best practices for years to come .”
"I appreciate the chance to have served on the POST Board. It was really meaningful, particularly in light of what happened to my nephew and being able to contribute to how we consider training and licensure in the profession of policing. But I feel that my skills are better used working with youth more directly and helping in the community now,” said Clarence Castile. “I’m looking forward to seeing this new slate of appointees weigh-in on the important issues before the Board, particularly Justin Terrell and the wealth of knowledge and relationships he will bring."
In July, Governor Walz signed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, authored by members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, which will begin to address systemic inequities in Minnesota’s criminal justice system. The bill included a robust framework of accountability law enforcement through:
The POST Board recently underwent an extensive external audit that identified several areas of improvement, from pre-service education reform to transforming the Board’s regulatory function. The Board has begun implementing many of the recommendations, such as an overhaul of its rules. These new appointees, along with current Board members, will work toward engaging peace officers, the community, and stakeholders across the spectrum in prioritizing the recommendations and ensuring the Board is focused on how to improve effectiveness, transparency, and trust in law enforcement.
The Governor appointed the following people to serve on the POST Board:
Justin Terrell – Richfield, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Clarence Castille
Justin is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Justice Research Center. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage and the Justice 4 All Program Manager with TakeAction Minnesota. He is involved with the Police and Black Men Project, which is a partnership between the Minneapolis Police Department and the University of Minnesota. In 2014, he was a Facing Race Ambassador and participated in the Organizing in Communities of Color Fellowship.
Liz Richards – Saint Paul, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Timothy Bildsoe
Liz Richards is the Executive Director at Violence Free Minnesota: the Coalition to End Relationship Abuse (formerly the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women). Liz has worked within the domestic violence movement in Minnesota for the past 35 years – working in community and legal advocacy programs, in statewide legal training organizations, and for the past 15 years with the state coalition. Her recent community involvement includes serving on the Attorney General’s Workgroup on Sexual Assault Investigations.
Justin Page – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat
Justin is an assistant supervising attorney with the Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and Minnesota Disability Law Center, where he has worked as an attorney since 2004. He currently serves as a board member for the Page Education Foundation and previously served as a member of the Working Group on Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters. His previous experience includes working as an adjunct representation professor at William Mitchell College of Law and as a law clerk for the Honorable Pamela G. Alexander.
Nigel Perrote – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat
Nigel is the National and State Programs Director for the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MnCASA). Previously, he served as the Tribal Liaison for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). Through his work at DPS, he coordinated the convening and work of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Task Force. His previous experience also includes work for the Minneapolis Health Department and for the Division of Indian Work in several capacities, including most recently as a strengthening family circles/healing spirits program director.
Shelly Schaefer – Apple Valley, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Higher Education Administrator
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Joel Powell
Shelly is a professor and administrator at Hamline University. She coordinates the work of the Peace Officer Education Program and serves as the Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. She has been published extensively and has collaborated on projects that focus on community-based crime prevention. Her past professional experience includes working as a research analyst for the Fourth Judicial District, and working for Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections, and Goodwill/Easter Seals. She was previously appointed by the POST Board to a work group on the Diversity and Implicit Bias In-Service Training Learning Objective.
Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux – Grand Marais, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Elected City Official
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Kevin Stenson
Jay is the Mayor of Grand Marais and owns small businesses, including an inn and a bike shop. Previously, he was a camp manager and program director with Wilderness Canoe Base. His community involvement includes service on the Cook County Library Board and the Cook County Local Energy Project. He also has worked as an instructor with North House Folk School. He will bring the perspective of an elected official of a Greater Minnesota community to the Board.
Jennifer Foster Albright – Brooklyn Park, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Peace Officer
Effective: February 16, 2021
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: David Titus
Jen is a police officer with the Brooklyn Park Police Department, where she also serves as a team member on the S.W.A.T./Crisis Negotiations team and has been through crisis intervention training. She currently serves as president of the Hennepin County Juvenile Advisory Committee and a board member of the Law Enforcement Opportunities Board. Her prior community service includes serving on the Minnesota Association of Women Police Board and as an advisor to the Brooklyn Park Police Explorers.
