Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Senator Barry Usher has completed the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Legislator Police Academy, a new yearlong peer-training opportunity designed to support state legislators interested in policy topics related to law enforcement. Usher, a Republican, represents Senate District 20 in the Montana Legislature, which includes Roundup, Forsyth, and other areas north and east of Billings.

The inaugural program, which was launched in October 2022 and supported through an NCSL partnership with Arnold Ventures, was created in part due to state legislatures expanding their role in law enforcement accountability, which previously fell to federal and local governments.

The program concluded with a recognition ceremony at the final meeting in Tacoma, Wash., last week.

“This was a very useful training as we in the Legislature look to support and assist law enforcement to improve public safety in Montana,” Usher said.

Throughout the program, participants had the opportunity to meet with law enforcement and policy experts from across the country, build connections with their legislative peers from other states, and receive NCSL assistance to support their learning and action plans.