Police, Policy, People: Police departments and lawmakers are striving to create safer communities.

• Author: Essex, Amanda
• Position: CRIMINAL JUSTICE

From holding lip-sync challenges to negotiating serious policy changes, law enforcement officials, citizens and policymakers are working together to create safer communities and increase police effectiveness. Efforts can be seen at all levels of government. At the state level, the volume of legislation addressing law enforcement has increased significantly in the last few years. In 2017 alone, lawmakers introduced some 1,500 bills nationwide and enacted more than 260 of them. That's a big leap from the 93 new laws passed in 2016 and 64 in 2015. Police have worked with legislators in the development of some of these new laws.

States and law enforcement agencies have re-evaluated their use-of-force policies in light of high-profile incidents involving police and community members. New approaches to dealing with mental illness and emerging technologies have also spurred changes.

Significant legislative trends in recent years include alternatives to arrest, law enforcement training and officer safety.

Not Just Arrests

It used to be that when law enforcement officers encountered someone having a mental health crisis, the only option available was to arrest that person and hold him or her in custody.

As we recognize the unique response required for people with behavioral health needs, however, police options are changing. A few state legislatures have expanded police authority, allowing officers to take people in crisis to treatment facilities or hospitals to address their needs.

A bill signed in August in Illinois supports programs that direct people with substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and into treatment services. Known as "deflection," an officer makes the connection between a person who might otherwise have been arrested and a treatment provider or medical professional.

The new law acknowledges that "law enforcement officers have a unique opportunity to facilitate connections to community-based behavioral health interventions that provide substance use treatment and can help save and restore lives," reduce drug use, overdoses, crime and recidivism, "and help prevent arrest and conviction records that destabilize health, families and opportunities for community citizenship and self-sufficiency."

A current Illinois police chief and a former chief and current city manager were instrumental in getting the legislation passed. Eric Guenther, chief of police in Mundelein, Ill., says the legislation is unique because it...