AUGUSTA - Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, presented two proposals Thursday that seek to strengthen law enforcement education and training standards in Maine.
"Our law enforcement officers are responding to and encountering difficult and varied situations every day. This bill is about making sure they are prepared and have the best tools in their toolboxes so they can be safe and effective," said Gramlich. "The world is vastly different from the days when my grandfather and uncle served as police officers. Our education and training standards need to keep up for the sake of our women and men in uniform as well as the communities they serve."
The first bill, LD 847, would direct the Maine Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a trauma-informed training program for law enforcement officers. It would also require the department to help municipalities develop programs to embed clinical social workers in their local police forces, where they would support appropriate law enforcement responses to calls involving mental health and substance use issues.
The second, LD 1247, would create a stakeholder group of policymakers and experts to review current law enforcement training standards and best practices, including training and education around racial justice, substance use disorder, behavioral health and homelessness. The stakeholder group would be charged with developing recommendations to enhance recruitment from underrepresented communities and improve training and education standards. The bill requires the stakeholder group to report back to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee with those recommendations by Jan. 3, 2024.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 34 states require training or education on physical and mental health conditions, while at least 26 mandate bias reduction training. A 2017 study showed that nearly one in five local law enforcement agencies in the nation required entry-level officers to have some college credits. The study found the biggest factor in educational requirements by local agencies was state-level standards.
The committee will hold a work session on both LDs 847 and 1247 in the coming days, at which time members will have the opportunity to debate and offer amendments before voting on recommendations to the full Legislature.
Gramlich is a longtime social worker who is currently serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Old Orchard Beach. She is the House chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Gramlich], c. 305-965-2744