Bill to make community immersion policing grants permanent draws broad support, some labor concerns

Senate Bill 5367 would eliminate the current sunset provision for Washington’s community engagement grant program administered by the Department of Commerce and create a new competitive community immersion law enforcement grant program intended to place pre‑academy recruits or new hires into community service placements before the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

At a Feb. 3 Law & Justice Committee hearing, staff counsel summarized key grant requirements: competitive awards reviewed by a grants review committee, data reporting by grantees, a minimum 45‑day officer assignment to immersion placements, a limited allowance for overtime while newly hired officers participate in immersion, and restrictions on stipends to community hosts. The bill would also direct Commerce to create and…