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Senate committee considers $3.5 million ‘Back the Blue’ continuation to aid recruitment and retention of local officers
Summary
Members heard testimony supporting continuation of a $3.5 million appropriation for recruitment and retention grants to local law enforcement and regional correctional facilities; supporters said the program helps keep officers in rural communities, while some senators asked about program design, matching funds and measurable retention outcomes.
The Senate Workforce Development Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1193, a $3.5 million appropriation to continue a grant program that distributes funds to local law enforcement and county correctional facilities for recruitment, retention and training.
Representative Steve Vetter, sponsor of the measure, said his preferred amendment would focus on retention by providing higher, targeted bonuses to officers who remain at the same agency for four years or more. "Our good and experienced police know their neighborhoods and know who the bad guys are," Vetter said, arguing a retention‑focused pilot for smaller agencies would prevent poaching and preserve community policing.
County and local law enforcement representatives…
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