NC S454

Appropriates $1 million recurring to the Department of Justice to hire grant writers who will help law enforcement agencies identify and apply for grant funding, effective July 1, 2025

Provides $1 million recurring for community policing grants and $1.5 million recurring for grants rewarding exemplary officer service and agencies meeting diversity benchmarks (capped at $10,000 per grant), effective July 1, 2025

Classifies strangleholds, neck restraints, and other tactics restricting oxygen or blood flow as deadly force, and requires officers to use minimum necessary force with de-escalation tactics when possible, effective October 1, 2025

Sets minimum age of 21 for law enforcement officers and allows certification denial based on felony convictions or four or more misdemeanor convictions (even if expunged), effective January 1, 2026

Appropriates $2 million recurring for grants to fund detective positions investigating serious person crimes (Class D felony or higher), effective July 1, 2025