D56767E628D3D886872587FA0072560C Hearing Summary

Senator Lundeen, bill sponsor, explained Senate Bill 22-067, concerning the creation of a grant program to provide grants to local law enforcement agencies to provide critical incident training to the agencies' peace officers.  He discussed training around critical incidents. 

Public Safety Director Chris Heberer, representing Fountain Police Department, testified in support of the bill.  He discussed critical incident training.

Mayor Sharon Thompson, representing City of Fountain, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the grants, dollar amounts, and intended use. 

Talaya Banks, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in opposition to the bill. She expressed concerns about racist policing strategies.

Committee discussion ensued about rebuilding trust with law enforcement, deescalation, and cultural sensitivity. 

Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support if amended.  She recommended an amendment to address mental health or substance abuse. 

Mr Dustin Olson, representing Colorado School of Mines, testified in support of the bill.  He discussed the need for critical incident training at institutes of higher education. 

Committee members asked questions about various components of the training. 

Ellen Koski, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.

Jefferey Riester, representing Department of Law, answered questions about access to training and best practices. 

Committee members asked further questions about length of training, hours involved, and costs. 

Senator Lundeen discussed strike below Amendment L.003 to move the grant program to the Department of Public Safety, as well as include institutions of higher education (Attachment A). 

Committee members discussed the grant program and asked questions about the fiscal note. 

Senator Lundeen distributed and explained Amendment L. 005 about peace officer interactions with persons experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis (Attachment B). 

Committee members discussed laying the bill over for questions.  The bill sponsor asked that committee members vote on proposed amendments before doing so. 

The committee chair announced the bill will be placed on the March 10 agenda, for action only.