Bill > SB5367

This bill establishes two interconnected grant programs aimed at improving community engagement and trust between law enforcement and local communities. The first program, administered by the Department of Commerce, will fund community engagement initiatives that include neighborhood organizing, law enforcement-community partnerships, youth mobilization, and business engagement. Eligible applicants must be public agencies or non-governmental organizations with demonstrated experience in community engagement, and must establish partnerships with law enforcement and diversity-focused organizations. Grant recipients are required to lead neighborhood initiatives, build trust between law enforcement and community members, mobilize youth, engage businesses in crime prevention, and provide training and technical assistance. The bill also introduces a new community immersion grant program that will place newly hired law enforcement officers in community-based organizations for at least 45 days before their basic law enforcement training, allowing them to gain deeper understanding of the communities they will serve. The program will be overseen by a review committee comprising a sheriff or police chief, a law enforcement officer, and a community organization representative. The Department of Commerce will develop competitive grant guidelines, limit administrative costs to 5% of appropriated funds, and require data collection and evaluation to measure the program's impact on community-police relations and crime rates.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5367&Year=2025&Initiative=false