Gov. Gary Herbert announced a slew of changes in the state’s Executive Branch aimed at addressing racial inequality and policing reform.
Heads of the Division of Multicultural Affairs and Division of Indian Affairs will now directly report to Herbert and be a part of senior leadership meetings. All state employees will also be required to undergo implicit bias training.
Herbert is also requiring the Department of Public Safety and Department of Corrections to enforce, across the board, training that bans chokeholds.
Public Safety Commissioner Jess Anderson will be required to deliver a report to Herbert with potential policy or law changes to promote police transparency by July 1.
“Nobody should have fear of our police,” Herbert said. “It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, your ethnicity, your background — everybody is equal under the law and they should look at the police and law enforcement officers, men and women in uniform, as friends.”
The state Legislature is expected to convene in a special session late next week and take up some police reform proposals as well as changes to the state budget.
Sonja Hutson covers politics for KUER. Follow her on Twitter @SonjaHutson
