The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA), Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP), and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) are pleased to announce a new no-cost webinar on law enforcement’s role in emergency removals of children. This project is supported by funding from the Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Taskforce.

Webinar Description

In the absence of a court order, law enforcement holds the sole statutory authority to remove children from their home in emergency situations (§260C.175). This training provides information to deepen law enforcement’s understanding of their statutory authority to remove children in emergency situations. Topics include considerations for determining if an emergency removal should take place, trauma-informed approaches to removals, and options for consultation to promote the best interest of the child and protect the child and family’s rights. This webinar will be on Zoom.

Provided in This Course

1. Information on law enforcement’s statutory authority for emergency removals
2. Recognition of the specifics of law enforcement’s role and concrete suggestions for keeping the best interest of the child in mind when determining if an emergency removal must occur
3. Suggestions for collaborating with child welfare professionals to determine the best interest of the child when an emergency placement is needed (i.e. working with tribes, multidisciplinary teams, consultation)
4. Trauma-informed approaches to conducting emergency removals when it is determined one is necessary

Registration

Two virtual offerings are currently scheduled in May 2026 and registration is currently open.

• May 13 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. / 1300-1500
• May 14 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. / 0900-1100

The webinar is eligible for 2 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) credits and 2 hours of social work continuing education unit (CEU) clock hours.

The webinar is focused primarily on law enforcement practice, but is open to professionals that are currently working with an active child protection multidisciplinary team in Minnesota or tribal nations.

This webinar is informed by findings from a multi-year working group on emergency child removals, which included input from the Department of Public Safety, law enforcement, and youth with child protection removal experience. The purpose is to provide law enforcement more clarification on when emergency child removals should take place and what consultation with child welfare can look like when making these decisions. It also aims to reduce trauma for children and families. The training content was developed by members of law enforcement with child welfare partners.

Please share with interested colleagues!

About the Trainer

Boyd Billman is a Police Officer serving in the role of Victim Services Officer with the Fond du Lac Tribal Police Department. He has developed specialized knowledge and experience in investigating gender‑based crimes and has received advanced training in victim‑survivor advocacy. Officer Billman works to bridge the gap between victim‑survivors and their interactions with law enforcement, facilitating referrals to advocacy services to support healing and recovery. He provides law enforcement services to victim‑survivors within the Fond du Lac Reservation and delivers ongoing training opportunities to area law enforcement agencies. Officer Billman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth and completed his law‑enforcement training at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. He is committed to community‑oriented policing, public safety, and victim advocacy. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Officer Billman serves the community as a Firefighter and EMT with the Cloquet Area Fire District.