C8F89E4A0F377CB5872582340071C712 Hearing Summary

Senator Gardner announced that the hearing on SB18-059 will take place, but it will be laid over to work on an amendment.  

Senator Fields explained SB18-059 concerning the creation of a public safety information-sharing system. She provided information about her work with the Colorado Information Sharing Consortium (CISC).  Membership in the  CISC allows law enforcement personnel to search, analyze, and share tactical and strategic law enforcement data in real time.  Senator Fields reported that some jurisdictions do not have the funds to join and become a CISC member agency, however, and the bill provides grant funds to do so.  She stressed the importance of sharing law enforcement information across jurisdictions. 

Vince Line, Bureau Chief with Arapahoe County, representing CISC, spoke in support of the bill.  He further explained the work and mission of CISC.  He reported that currently 59 agencies belong to the CISC representing about 66% of peace officers in the state.  He answered questions from the committee about access to information if not a CISC member and provided an example of how the CISC platform is beneficially used to enhance public safety.  

Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, spoke in opposition to the bill as introduced but expressed his support with an amendment.  Mr Raynes' objections were about the grant and open bidding process as outlined in the bill, but he reported that involved parties are close to an agreement.    

Chief Michael Phibbs, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, spoke in support of the bill.  He explained that it is good law enforcement to share information, but the jurisdiction where he is chief of police (Elizabeth) does not have the funding to be a part of CISC.  He reported that he has access to criminal histories but cannot view active investivations without CISC membership.  

Detective Katie Arehart, representing Brighton Police Department, testified in favor of the bill.  She reported that ground level personnel, such as herself, benefit from shared information.  She provided examples of positive benefits from the data sharing system, particularly in the areas of photo line-ups. 

Fran Lanzer, representing Mothers Against Drink Driving and Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, spoke in support of the bill.  He testified that more information will keep the public safer while allowing for more law enforcement to be on the road. 

Justin Smith, Sheriff of Larimer County, spoke in support of the bill.  He testified that there is a divide between the front range and other more rural counties and access to each other's information helps to level the playing field.