Investigative specialist grant program establishment and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doron Clark

The bill creates a one-time $2M grant program to hire and train non-sworn investigative specialists to improve crime-solving rates and victim support.

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

#appropriations #publicsafetyandpublicsafetydepartment

Summary of SF 5286 (2025-2026) – Investigative Specialist Grant Program Establishment and Appropriation

Purpose and intent

SF 5286 establishes a one-time funding program, the Investigative Specialist Grant Program, to help Minnesota law enforcement agencies hire, train, and retain non-sworn investigative specialists. The goal is to increase the rate at which offenses are solved and to improve support for crime victims.

Key provisions

Funding and allocation

A one-time appropriation of $2,000,000 from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety for fiscal year 2027.
Individual grant awards may be up to $250,000.

Eligibility and prioritization

Grants are issued to law enforcement agencies as defined in Minn. Stat. 626.84, §1, subd. (f).
Agencies prioritized for funding must demonstrate:
A disproportionately high rate of unsolved crimes.
Inadequate staffing as a major barrier to solving crimes.
A concrete plan to use investigative specialists to increase solvability.
Other evidence of commitment to increasing clearance rates.
Specific goals and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness.

Use of grant funds

Funds must be used to: 1) Create recruiting protocols and a job description for investigative specialists. 2) Develop a procedure manual for investigative specialists. 3) Hire investigative specialists. 4) Create and deliver training programs for investigative specialists. 5) Supervise and support investigative specialists.

Role and limitations of investigative specialists

Investigative specialists hired under the program must provide administrative and investigative support to detectives and investigative supervisors.
Grantees must train investigative specialists on confidentiality and relevant policies.
Investigative specialists cannot be peace officers; they may not identify as peace officers and cannot exercise powers/duties exclusive to peace officers.

Reporting and accountability

Grantee agencies must submit reports to the commissioner on how investigative specialists are used and the impact on crime solving.
Required reporting timeline: six months after grant award and at the end of the grant period.
Reports must include:
Number of investigative specialists hired.
Description of training provided.
Summary of activities performed by the specialists.
Description of the impact on crime-solving outcomes.

Affected entities

Minnesota law enforcement agencies eligible for grants under Minn. Stat. 626.84, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as the administering body.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced and referred to Judiciary and Public Safety in May 2026.

The legislation designates a single, non-recurring appropriation for fiscal year 2027; no ongoing funding is specified beyond the one-time amount.

Potential impact

Provides targeted funding to address staffing and training gaps in investigations.

Aims to improve crime-clearing rates and victim support through non-sworn investigative roles.

Establishes accountability measures via structured training, reporting, and performance metrics.