h_jud_2016a_2017-01-04t08:35:00z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/04/2017

11:48 AM -- Department of Public Safety SMART Act and Joint Rule 25 Presentation



The committee took a brief recess.





11:48 AM



The committee returned to order. Mr. Stan Hilkey, Executive Director, Department of Public Safety (DPS), provided opening remarks about the department, appearing before the committee pursuant to the SMART Government Act and legislative Joint Rule 25. Committee members received a packet of presentation materials, prepared by DPS Staff (Attachment C). Director Hilkey provided an overview of the department, its duties, and recent initiatives undertaken by the department. He also discussed the department's budget and legislative agenda. Director Hilkey responded to questions regarding the hiring of peace officers by the department who are not naturalized citizens. Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief, Colorado State Patrol (CSP), provided input on this issue.



17JointJud0104AttachC.pdf



12:04 PM



Discussion ensued regarding employment of those who are not citizens by law enforcement, and potential legislation that might address the issue. Discussion followed regarding an item on the DPS legislative agenda that seeks to create peace officer status for the director of the Office of Prevention and Security.





12:11 PM



Col. Hernandez provided an overview of the CSP, its duties, and some recent initiatives undertaken by the force. Col. Hernandez responded to questions regarding a CSP policy initiative to enforce the use of car pool lanes on certain highways, and efforts to increase citations for not wearing seatbelts.





12:28 PM



Col. Hernandez responded to questions regarding certain areas where CSP enforces speed limits to a greater degree.





12:29 PM



The committee recessed.





01:30 PM



The committee returned to order. Mr. Michael Rankin, Director, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, provided an overview of the bureau and its mission and duties. Mr. Mike Morgan, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, provided an overview of the division, its duties, and its activities.





01:58 PM



Mr. Kevin Klein, Director, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, briefed the committee about the division and its activities. Director Klein responded to questions regarding communications coordination among public safety agencies. Ms. Jeanne Smith, Director, Division of Criminal Justice, briefed the committee on this division and its activities.





02:11 PM

Director Smith responded to questions regarding the availability of federal funds for a recently created body camera grant program. Director Smith responded to further questions regarding the division's responsibilities with regard to sex offender supervision, and the relationship between offender risk assessment and recidivism. Discussion ensued regarding trends in offender risk, and the use of specialty offender beds for offenders with mental health issues.





02:23 PM



Discussion continued regarding behavioral health issues in the criminal justice system, and the ability of agencies to collaborate on this topic. Director Smith responded to questions regarding disparities in treatment by the criminal justice system based upon ethnicity, and studies undertaken on this issue.