Cooper to Head Select Assembly Committee on Police, Community Relations

February 10, 2015 |

California Assembly Member Jim Cooper has been appointed to head the California Assembly Select Committee on Community and Law Enforcement Relations and Responsibilities. 

Assembly Member Jim Cooper, (D-Elk Grove)

Appointed by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, the select committee is tasked to explore how to build stronger relations and build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.  The freshman Elk Grove Democrat representing the Ninth Assembly District, was a 30-year Sacramento County Sheriff's Department veteran before his election to the California Assembly last November.

“As a former Sacramento County Sheriff’s Captain, I have a first-hand 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 chairing this Committee and further exploring these important issues.” 

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.  The Committee 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. 

Nationally, there has been an increased focus on relations between communities and law enforcement agencies that serve them following incidents last year in Ferguson, Mo. and New York City.