HB452 By Representative Grimsley RFD Public Safety and Homeland Security Rd 1 22-MAR-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, each chief of police of any municipality in this state is required to annually complete 20 hours of executive level continuing education courses and each law enforcement officer is required to annually complete 12 hours of continuing education courses.

This bill would require the executive level continuing education courses for each chief of police of any municipality to consist of two hours of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients.

This bill would require the continuing education courses for each law enforcement officer to consist of one hour of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To amend Section 36-21-51, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to peace officers standards and training; to require each chief of police of any municipality to annually complete a specified number of hours of executive level continuing education courses that consist of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients; and to require each law enforcement officer to annually complete a specified number of hours of continuing education courses that consist of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 36-21-51, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§36-21-51.

"(a) Each chief of police of any municipality in this state shall annually complete 20 hours of executive level continuing education courses, two hours of which shall consist of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission. Any other law enforcement officer in this state shall annually complete 12 hours of continuing education courses, one hour of which shall consist of instruction on dealing with mentally ill patients, approved by the commission. Provided, however, in the case of a law enforcement officer employed by a county sheriff's department, the training shall be required only if the county commission of the county in which the officer serves shall adopt a resolution requiring such continuing education.

"(b) Any chief of police or law enforcement officer who fails or refuses to comply with this section shall be subject to having his or her certification or authority as a law enforcement officer revoked by the commission.

"(c) The commission may, for sufficient cause, grant an extension of time in which to complete the courses.

"(d) Any chief of police or law enforcement officer who is aggrieved by any order or ruling made under this section shall have the same rights and procedure of appeal as from any other order or ruling of the commission."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Law Enforcement Officers

Law Enforcement

Continuing Education

Code Amended