To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide funding for innovations in community policing, mental health care, and community safety, and for other purposes.
The SMART Community Policing Act amends federal law to expand how Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants can be used, specifically to fund new approaches to handling mental health crises and substance abuse issues. The bill allows police departments to use COPS funding to establish mobile crisis teams staffed by mental health professionals and paramedics who can respond to 911 calls involving people in mental health emergencies, co-responder programs that pair officers with behavioral health clinicians, and case management teams that provide follow-up support to people who frequently interact with emergency services. These programs aim to de-escalate situations, connect people with mental health services and community resources, and reduce unnecessary police involvement in situations where trained mental health professionals would be more appropriate. The legislation affects local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, particularly individuals experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, poverty, and substance use disorders. The bill does not specify new funding amounts but authorizes existing COPS grant programs to be used for these new community policing innovations.
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