Naming Police Officer Training Fund in Honor of Philando Castile

This year, state lawmakers approved $12 million dollars for a new Law Enforcement Training Fund, and Governor Mark Dayton called up the Minnesota Board for Peace Officer Standards and Training to name the fund in memory of Philando Castile. Dayton, along with members of the Castile family, announced the recommendation at a State Capitol press conference Thursday, July 6, one year following the police shooting of Castile.

Acknowledging that he grew up during a time when Minnesota was more homogeneous than the diversity of the state today, Dayton said, "An incident like this shows all of us that we have a lot more work ahead of us, a lot more we need to do working together to improve our quality of relationships with one another and with the institutions of our society, with the communities of our society that reflect this increased diversity."

In addition to suggesting the naming of the training fund, Dayton announced that Clarence Castile, Philando's uncle, is appointed to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. According to Dayton's office, Castile is currently a member of the Governor's Council on Law Enforcement and Community Relations and was recently named as a reserve officer in the St. Paul Police Department.

Following the press conference, Governor Dayton answered media questions regarding the ongoing court case surrounding his veto of the legislature's funding and other issues.