SALT LAKE CITY — A new proposal at the Utah State Capitol seeks to establish a state-run “rapid response team” to assist or replace the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) if the city’s police fail to respond quickly to calls or enforce laws effectively. The proposal, House Bill 465 (HB 465), comes just days before the announcement that SLCPD Chief Mike Brown would step down from his post.
The bill has sparked concerns from state leaders about the effectiveness of local policing, particularly in the face of growing issues like homelessness, camping, and drug-related crimes. The state is pushing for a formalized partnership between the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the SLCPD, with Salt Lake City expected to fund a significant portion of the operation, including the creation of the rapid response team and joint public safety initiatives.
HB 465 further stipulates that if Salt Lake City does not enter into an agreement with DPS, it risks losing funding from the state’s “homeless mitigation” fund, a key resource used to address issues related to homelessness and housing in the region.
In response to the bill, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed appreciation for the state’s desire to collaborate on public safety efforts but questioned whether new legislation was necessary. Through a spokesperson, Mayor Mendenhall emphasized that her administration was already working on a coordinated approach to public safety and would be open to further discussions regarding the proposed rapid response team.
“We look forward to collaborating on the rapid response team proposal,” said Mendenhall. “However, we don’t necessarily believe legislation is required to move this forward.”
The proposal has also sparked debate about the role of local leadership in public safety. Rep. Casey Snider, R-Cache County, the sponsor of the bill, defended the legislation, stating that HB 465 is aimed at supporting Salt Lake City and other large municipalities to address public safety concerns and formalize partnerships between local and state agencies.
Snider declined to specify the size of the proposed rapid response team or the types of calls it would be expected to handle. Additionally, he did not directly address whether he believed Chief Mike Brown’s departure or Mayor Mendenhall’s leadership were factors in the perceived shortcomings of SLCPD. Instead, he emphasized the importance of the bill in creating a more effective, collaborative approach to public safety across Utah’s urban centers.
The timing of the bill and its introduction—just days after Chief Brown’s resignation—has intensified the scrutiny on SLCPD and its ability to address rising public safety concerns. With the state stepping in with such a proposal, the situation reflects ongoing tensions between local and state government over how best to handle public safety, crime, and homelessness in the city.
As the legislative session moves forward, all eyes will be on whether Salt Lake City can come to an agreement with state authorities or if HB 465 will lead to a larger restructuring of local policing in the city.