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299F.051 ARSON TRAINING.
    Subdivision 1. Training unit. An arson training unit is established within the Division
of Fire Marshal to develop and administer arson training courses throughout the state for law
enforcement and fire service personnel and for prosecutors.
    Subd. 1a. Curriculum. The arson training unit, in consultation with the Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension, the state fire marshal, the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board,
the County Attorneys Association, the attorney general, and the State Advisory Council on
Fire Service Education and Research, shall establish a standardized curriculum to be included
in the training programs. The standardized curriculum shall include fire scene investigation
and preservation of evidence, interviewing of witnesses and suspects, constitutional limits on
interrogation by sworn and nonsworn officers, and other topics deemed necessary to successful
criminal investigation and prosecution. The training program offered to peace officers shall
meet the applicable preservice training requirements established by the Peace Officer Standards
and Training Board under section 626.8456.
    Subd. 2. Training location, instructor. (a) The arson training unit, in cooperation with the
superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Board of Peace Officer Standards
and Training, the County Attorneys Association, and the attorney general, shall provide courses at
convenient locations in the state for training firefighters, peace officers, and prosecutors in:
(1) the conduct of investigations following the occurrence of a fire; and
(2) the prosecution of arson cases.
    (b) For this purpose, the arson training unit may use the services and employees of the
bureau, the state fire marshal, and the attorney general. In addition, the arson training unit
is authorized to establish minimum qualifications for training course instructors, and engage
part-time instructors necessary and proper to furnish the best possible instruction, subject to the
limitation of funds appropriated and available for expenditure. Laws 1981, chapter 210, sections 1
to 48, shall not apply to the part-time instructors.
    Subd. 3. In-service training. The arson training unit, in cooperation with the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension, shall offer in-service and refresher training for firefighters and peace
officers through schools administered by the state, county, school district, municipality, or joint
or contractual combinations thereof. The in-service training courses offered for peace officers
shall be eligible for continuing education credit from the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer
Standards and Training.
    Subd. 4. Cooperative investigation. The state fire marshal and the superintendent of the
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall encourage the cooperation of local firefighters and peace
officers in the investigation of violations of sections 609.561 to 609.576 or other crimes associated
with reported fires in all appropriate ways.
History: 1978 c 777 s 5; 1981 c 210 s 54; 1997 c 7 art 2 s 50; 1997 c 239 art 8 s 19; 2005 c
10 art 1 s 63; 2005 c 136 art 9 s 7

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes