Police-community safety and trust

Area of Science:

• Public Health Law
• Criminal Justice Reform
• Policing Studies

Background:

• In 2017, legislative activity significantly impacted policing, with 46 states enacting over 270 new laws.
• A growing trend involves states legislating public education on rights and expectations during police encounters.
• Collaboration between law enforcement and healthcare professionals is increasing for managing mental health and substance use issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the landscape of recent legislative changes affecting policing.
• To identify trends in public education initiatives related to police interactions.
• To examine the integration of healthcare expertise into police response strategies for behavioral health crises.

Main Methods:

• Legislative analysis of state-level statutes enacted in 2017.
• Review of state laws mandating or encouraging public education on police interactions.
• Case study examination of police-healthcare partnership models for mental health response.

Main Results:

• Over 270 policing-related laws were enacted across 46 states in 2017.
• At least six states introduced legislation to inform the public about their rights during police interactions.
• Partnerships between police departments and healthcare providers are expanding to address mental health and substance use disorders.

Conclusions:

• The year 2017 marked a period of substantial legislative reform in policing.
• There is a discernible movement towards empowering the public with knowledge of their rights.
• Integrating healthcare professionals into policing enhances the safety and effectiveness of responses to individuals with behavioral health needs.