Signed by Governor Eric Holcomb

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases police accountability.

Highlights:

• Defines "board" as the law enforcement training board created by this law (Sec. 1-2).

• Defines "law enforcement training council" as one of the confederations of law enforcement agencies recognized by the board and organized for the sole purpose of sharing training, instructors, and related resources (Sec. 1-4).

• Specifies "training regarding the lawful use of force" includes classroom and skills training in the proper application of hand to hand defensive tactics, use of firearms, and other methods of (Sec. 1-5):

• Overcoming unlawful resistance; or

• Countering other action that threatens the safety of the public or a law enforcement officer.

• Prohibits a law enforcement officer appointed to a law enforcement department or agency after June 30, 1993, from doing the following (Sec. 9.d):

• Making an arrest;

• Conducting a search or a seizure of a person or property; or

• Carrying a firearm; unless the law enforcement officer completes, at a board-certified law enforcement academy or a law enforcement training center under the basic training requirements established by the board under this chapter.

• Requires the board to adopt rules to establish an executive training program. The executive training program must include training in the following areas (Sec. 2-9.j):

• Liability;

• Media relations;

• Accounting and administration;

• Discipline;

• Department policy-making;

• Lawful use of force and de-escalation training;

• Department programs;

• Emergency vehicle operation; and

• Cultural diversity.

• Requires the board to adopt rules to establish a refresher course for an officer who (Sec. 2-9.o):

• Is hired by an Indiana law enforcement department or agency as a law enforcement officer;

• Has not been employed as a law enforcement officer for:

• At least two years; and

• Less than six years before the officer is hired; and

• Completed at any time a basic training course certified or recognized by the board before the officer is hired.

• Establishes the following records of a private university police department are public records and subject to this law (Sec. 4):

• A record created or received after July 1, 2016, by a private university police department, to the extent the record:

• Is created solely for a law enforcement purpose; and

• Relates to arrests or incarcerations for criminal offenses.

• A record that is created in compliance with existing federal law, to the extent that public access is required; and

• The following records concerning a law enforcement officer employed by a private university police department:

• The name, compensation, job title, business address, business telephone number, job description, education and training background, previous work experience, or dates of first and last employment of the law enforcement officer;

• Information relating to the status of any formal charges against the law enforcement officer; and

• The factual basis for a disciplinary action in which final action has been taken and that resulted in the law enforcement officer being suspended, demoted, or discharged.

Full Bill Text