The bill establishes a project within the Washington State Department of Commerce aimed at fostering community engagement through law enforcement-community partnerships and youth mobilization. It amends RCW 43.330.545 to outline the eligibility criteria for applicants, which include public agencies and non-governmental organizations with experience in community engagement initiatives that impact public safety. The project will provide funding for programs across various rural and urban counties, and grant recipients will be required to lead neighborhood organizing initiatives, build partnerships with law enforcement, mobilize youth, engage businesses, and report data on their activities and outcomes. Notably, the bill removes a provision that previously set an expiration date for this section in 2029.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that establishes a community immersion law enforcement grant program. This program is designed to place newly hired law enforcement officers in community-based organizations to engage in community-focused work while they await entry into the basic law enforcement academy. The program will award competitive grants to local law enforcement agencies and requires grant recipients to report data and engage in evaluations based on prior experiences. It also sets specific guidelines regarding the duration of service for officers in the program, limits financial arrangements with community organizations, and caps administrative costs for the department at five percent of the appropriated amounts.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.330.545
Substitute Bill: 43.330.545