MINNEAPOLIS _ Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton recommended Thursday that a new $12 million law enforcement training fund be named for Philando Castile, the man shot and killed one year ago by a St. Anthony police officer.
Speaking at the Capitol as Castile's family flanked him, Dayton called Castile's death "one of the most traumatic" events during his more than six years as governor. The shooting drew new attention to concerns of black Minnesotans that they have been unfairly targeted by police, and Dayton said it's clear Minnesota needs to do more to help officers strengthen community relationships in an increasingly diverse state.
"We all need to live together in this state, peacefully, harmoniously, constructively," Dayton said. "It's my hope this training will really be focused on that occurrence, and making that a reality."
Dayton included his request in a formal letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board, the group of law enforcement officers and community members who will sort out how to use the new training money. The state Legislature approved the funds earlier this year, adding $2 million on top of Dayton's original $10 million request.
The money is likely to be distributed among police departments across the state. The POST board will help determine the focus of the training, and must also sign off on Dayton's request to name if for Castile. That request, and the additional training, won the backing of Castile's mother, Valerie Castile. She said she believes police and community members share the same goals but that both could use more guidance in how to interact.
"We need this extra training for our police officers" Valerie Castile said. "Because at the end of the day, everyone wants to go home."
State Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, said linking the fund to Castile's name was likely to prompt a negative reaction from some in law enforcement. He noted that Jeronimo Yanez, the officer who shot Castile, was acquitted of manslaughter.
"To name it seems to be kind of taking sides on the issue, after the officer was acquitted," said Cornish, chairman of the House Public Safety Committee. "To name a bill after (Castile) just seems like it's driving a wedge of taking sides."
Cornish said the legislation to steer new money to the training fund had strong backing from law enforcement officials and was intended to bolster a variety of types of training, from dealing with people with mental illness to recognizing implicit biases that shape people's interactions with each other.
Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, also serves on the House Public Safety Committee and said he thinks the state's focus should be on tackling the growing number of challenges facing police officers. He said equipping officers to respond to calls involving people with mental illness should be a top priority as departments expand their training.
"I think we need to look ahead at making sure that we are building police forces throughout the state of Minnesota that accurately represent the communities that they're working to protect," he said. "I don't think naming something is necessarily a step in that direction, as much as the dollars behind it to equip police officers to handle these evolving challenges that they face."
Also Thursday, Dayton appointed Castile's uncle, Clarence Castile, to serve on the POST board. He said Castile has been active in working with the state on issues of police-community relations and has signed on to become a reserve officer with the St. Paul Police Department.
Clarence Castile said he's hopeful the increased emphasis on police training will also prompt broader interest in teaching conflict resolution skills to young people and others in the community.
"They may not have the funding, but we need people who are willing to go into schools and into rec centers and teach people how to handle situations," he said. "That's one of the things I plan on doing."
Dayton said he's hopeful the state can make progress on police-community relations, rather than growing more deeply divided over the issues raised by Castile's death and Yanez's trial.
"Remembering what occurred is essential, but constantly revisiting it beyond this point becomes counterproductive," Dayton said. "We have a responsibility of all of us engaged in public services to bring Minnesota together, and that's the spirit of this training."
