Montgomery Co. passes bill to improve community informed policing

Police officers and new recruits in Montgomery County, Maryland, will now receive extra training to help them better understand the communities where they work and serve. It’s part of the county’s move to increase trust between its diverse residents and law enforcement. County Executive Marc Elrich signed the Community Informed Police Training Act into law Friday after the Montgomery County Council passed the bill unanimously last week. At the signing ceremony, At-Large Council member Will Jawando said the bill is something that has been in the works for about two years, while Elrich noted the county’s arc has been toward change even before reform calls were reignited after the death of George Floyd in May 2020.