Jim Cooper to chair state law enforcement committee

SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, has been appointed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon as chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Community and Law Enforcement Relations and Responsibilities.

“As a former 30-year law enforcement officer, I have an indepth understanding of the challenges of building trusting relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I anticipate a productive and informative dialogue on the issues and constructive outcomes,” Cooper said. “I look forward to continuing chairing this committee and further exploring these important issues.”

The goal of the committee is to explore how to build strong, trusting and collaborative relationships between communities and local law enforcement through education and open communication.

The committee will examine strategies to build community trust by educating community members on law enforcement goals, objectives, legal responsibilities and challenges including diversity in recruitment, training, and retention.

It will also examine the effects of socioeconomics, level of education, historical culture, police presence and tactics used to police neighborhoods, and how they affect the relationships between the two stakeholders.

Committee membership and upcoming hearings will be announced in the coming months.

Cooper represents Lodi and Galt in the State Assembly.