The bill aims to enhance community engagement through law enforcement-community partnerships and the establishment of a new community immersion law enforcement grant program. It amends RCW 43.330.545 to create a project within the Department of Commerce that focuses on fostering neighborhood organizing, youth mobilization, and business engagement. The project will provide funding for programs across various rural and urban counties in Washington, with specific eligibility criteria for applicants, including public agencies and non-governmental organizations that demonstrate experience in community engagement initiatives. The bill outlines the responsibilities of grant recipients, which include leading neighborhood organizing initiatives, building law enforcement-community partnerships, mobilizing youth, and engaging businesses to prevent crime.

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 awaiting entry to 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 limitations on financial arrangements with community organizations and caps the department's administrative costs at five percent of the appropriated amounts. The previous expiration date for the section has been removed, allowing the program to continue beyond January 1, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.330.545
Substitute Bill: 43.330.545