A bill providing increased oversight and accountability of law enforcement officers continues to advance through the legislative process.
SB 5051 has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and now awaits floor action in the Senate. Several
amendments were adopted during the process, including language to:
- Clarify the Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (CJTC) authority to open an investigation related to a pattern of complaints or actions against a law enforcement officer. The complaints or actions must be related to conduct that could constitute
grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial of certification.
- Increase the size of the administrative hearings panel that hears certification and decertification matters involving law enforcement officers from three members to five members. The additional members include one member who is a peace officer or
corrections officer with at least ten years of experience and adding a member of the public.
- Remove extraneous language limiting immunity of the CJTC to decisions based on information or lack of information provided by the employing agency.
- Allow the CJTC to hire two confidential secretaries that are exempt from civil service to manage confidential records.
SB 5051 includes several AWC priorities, such as specifically allowing for decertification of an officer for use of force violations and creating a public database to track officers who have been fired for misconduct or resigned in lieu
of termination.
The bill is now in Senate Rules awaiting floor action.