LOC News
Legislature Asked to Support DPSST Funding
A coalition of law enforcement agencies and local governments sent a letter to the Legislature and Governor Kotek’s office this week, urging the appropriation of an additional $12.8 million to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). The additional funds are needed to clear the six-month training backlog for newly hired police officers.
Currently, the DPSST has the capacity to train 640 basic-level police students per biennium, which generally meets the training demand for Oregon’s police agencies. However, a training backlog has developed, resulting in a six-month wait time for new hires to attend their basic police academy. The agency, in cooperation with the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oregon State Sheriffs Association, has developed a plan that will allow the agency to train 1,200 officers per biennium, but will require an additional $12.8 million to implement. The plan does not impact the quality of the training or the safety of students.
City leaders are strongly encouraged to contact their legislators, House and Senate, to urge them to support this request.
Contact: Scott Winkels, Lobbyist - swinkels@orcities.org
Last Updated 5/19/23