Given the decreased public trust in law enforcement in recent years, legislators are considering new programs to help police and community members find common ground.

SB 5353 establishes a new pilot program through the Department of Commerce that would fund between 12 and 15 community engagement projects across the state. Funds would be distributed to qualifying public agencies – not including law enforcement agencies – and non-profit organizations serving communities with a population greater than 10,000. The organizations could use the funds to help build trust between community members and law enforcement through dialogue, education, and community policing programs. Commerce would be required to submit a report on the program by December 1, 2023.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously and awaits executive action in the House Public Safety Committee.

HB 1001 creates a grant program through the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to improve outreach and recruitment efforts for law enforcement. The program is designed to promote diversity in law enforcement so that departments better reflect the demographics of local communities. Grant recipients will be selected by December 1, 2021, and a report from the CJTC will be submitted to the governor by December 1, 2022.

The bill passed through the House unanimously and awaits executive action in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.