Bloomington Mayor Looks to Expand Police Force

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Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is proposing the hiring of five additional public safety officers.

Hamilton is expected to put the proposal before the city’s budgetary meeting, later in August. City of Bloomington Communications Director Yael Ksander said the five proposed public safety officials would act as community liaisons, rather than law enforcement officials.

The proposal from Mayor Hamilton’s office follows recommendations of the city’s Safety, Civility and Justice Task Force, which recommended greater police presence in downtown Bloomington. Ksander said the five proposed officers would work in tandem with BPD to mitigate the law enforcement approach to engaging with homeless individuals.

Ksander said the five proposed additional public safety officials would not be sworn-in positions, and would prioritize providing services to communities rather than law enforcement. Hamilton’s proposal would place four of those positions under the Bloomington Police Department, with the final position added to the city’s Community and Family Resources Department.

Ksander said the five additional positions come from a conversation with IU’s School of Social Work. Mayor Hamilton’s proposal is expected to go before the city’s next budgetary hearing meeting, on August 20.